NETBALL - Mystics want to take another step up by stopping Steel

North meets south in the ANZ Netball Championships with the Northern Mystics hosting the Southern Steel at Waitakere Trusts Stadium on Monday.
Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan was adamant this game was a big one for her girls, with both the Steel and Mystics sitting fifth equal after five rounds, along with last year's premiers New South Wales Swifts and the Queensland Firebirds.
The Mystics snuck past the Central Pulse on Monday defeating them 61-60 in extra time to secure only their second win of the season - a win which boosted the Mystics from eighth spot, and left a smile on Keenan's face.
It was a close victory - but a win for her side nevertheless.
"That's the nature of the game - and you take what you can get," she said.
"As the competition is showing, you could be cellar-dwelling one minute and up in the middle of the table the next."
As with any game in this year's competition, Keenan and her team are expecting a tough game against a hardened Steel side which includes former Mystics player Sheryl Scanlan, who migrated south this year.
The Steel will be determined to bounce back after a 17-point whipping by table-leaders the Melbourne Vixens two weeks ago.
With a bye last week, they should be ready to hit the Mystics with their bullet-proof defence and effective attacking game.
"You look at where their weaknesses are on court - and they haven't got any," Keenan said.
Keenan said her side were concentrating on their defensive game, through-court attack and treasuring possession to deliver the ball to their shooters swiftly.
The depth in the Mystics' shooting circle was demonstrated against the Pulse.
Goal shoot Cathrine Latu strained her ankle in the final quarter and was replaced by Silver Ferns squad member Jade Topia, who kept a cool head, shooting 17 from 19.
"To have the opportunity to put a player like Jade on and for her to nail it was awesome," Keenan said.
Mystics management are monitoring Latu's ankle, but Keenan said they are anticipating her to be well-recovered by Monday's crucial game.
The coach said she was generally happy with her side, but the same thing came up on a weekly basis - the team lacked the consistency which they knew existed.
Hopefully, the Mystics will confront their demon on Monday against the Steel at Trusts Stadium, from 7pm.
Meanwhile, in other ANZ Championship matches, the Magic, second on the table, play the Pulse today at Hamilton, the Swifts play the Thunderbirds at Sydney tomorrow, and the Firebirds go up against the Fever on Monday.