The Southern Steel’s opponent in the grand final will be the winner of tomorrow’s elimination final between the Central Pulse and Northern Mystics in Wellington. Jeff Cheshire looks at some key points to consider in that match-up.
Mystics’ attack v Pulse’s defence
The Pulse is the toughest team to score against in the premiership, while the Mystics seem to be the only team that can match the Steel on attack. Scoring 50 or more goals against the Pulse seems to be the key to beating it.
The Mystics’ combination of Maria Tutaia and Bailey Mes is more than capable of that, although they will have to go through Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka.
Whichever team gets the better of that match-up could emerge victor.
Home court
In three meetings this year both teams have beaten each other at home, while the Pulse won at Hamilton’s Super Sunday by one goal.
That would suggest there is not much between the two sides.
Having the home advantage will work in the Pulse’s favour, but it came out on the wrong side of a 64-53 scoreline in Auckland last time it met the Mystics.
Who would the Steel rather play?
To beat the Steel, a team is probably going to have to score a lot of goals.
Only once has it scored fewer than 60, and that was with a depleted line-up.
The Pulse has scored that many only once this season, while the Mystics have twice reached 67 against the Steel.
Those games were two of the Steel’s closest of the season. On the surface, that would make the Mystics the more dangerous opponent.
