No-one is quite sure who will win the ANZ Championship final between the Melbourne Vixens and the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in Melbourne on Sunday.
The home side has always won the final and no New Zealand team has been able to win the competition since its inception in 2008.
Regardless, Australian-born Steel defender Demelza McCloud, perhaps somewhat surprisingly given her close ties to many of the Vixens' players, believes the Magic can win.
"I think the Magic will be too strong. And with what Irene [van Dyk] has been going through this season, I think she will show her strength and vitality on the weekend."
Van Dyk's mother died hours before the Magic's preliminary final win against the Northern Mystics in Auckland on Monday.
Former Silver Ferns coach Lois Muir is another in the Magic camp. She believes the team has developed into a tight unit after what was a rocky beginning to the tournament.
The Magic lost its first four games but has won 11 on the trot to reach the final.
"[Julianna] Naoupu needs to shoot well. That will be the key," Muir said.
"If the Vixens rattle her, it will be quite hard for the Magic."
Steel co-coach Janine Southby is not convinced the Magic can overcome playing away and believes the Vixens shape as the favourites.
"Historically, all the previous winners have played the final at home," Southby said.
"And part of me wonders whether the Magic can handle another trip and a game where they have to get up. The effort it took to win that game [preliminary final against the Mystics] will take its toll.
"But they are playing some very good netball, especially when they let the ball go and play with confidence."
The sides last met during round four with the Vixens winning 40-39 in Melbourne.
For the Vixens everything starts at the back, where dynamic defender Geva Mentor is key to the side's fortunes. She is leading the competition in intercepts and deflections and her match-up against van Dyk will be fascinating.
Madison Browne is another influential figure. She has been the standout midcourter this season and her speed and passing game is a huge threat to the Magic's prospects.
If the Vixens have a weakness, it is in the shooting circle. Karyn Howarth and Tegan Caldwell form an inexperience duo, although they have been surprisingly effective.
Magic defenders Leana de Bruin and Casey Williams are two of the best around and that could prove to be a telling advantage for the Magic.
And then there is van Dyk.
What a classy lady. Long may the 40-year-old resist retirement because she is still at the top of her game.
She is the competition's leading goal scorer with 476 goals from 501 attempts and continues to inspire with her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment.
It was with a heavy heart she took the court to play in Monday's preliminary final and the family will delay her mother's funeral so van Dyk can play in the final on Sunday. The ace shooter has vowed to help win the game for her mother.
Who will win?
Vixens or Magic?
Who will win the ANZ Championship final between the Vixens and the Magic in Melbourne on Sunday?
Steel co-coach Janine Southby: "My head is saying the Vixens by four or five goals ... but my heart would love to see the Magic take it out."
Former Silver Ferns coach Lois Muir: "The Magic will win. They just have better team unity and that is what is driving them."
Steel defender Demelza McCloud: "I think the Magic will win because their defence end will be too strong for the Vixen's inexperienced shooters."
Netball writer Adrian Seconi: "Sorry, but I think the Vixens will be too good on their home court and will bring the Magic's run of 11 consecutive wins to an end."
