Dana Johannsen: The Mystics are no chance - but the vibe is right

Catherine Latu of the Mystics. Photo / Getty Images

It should be a no-brainer right?

With the Queensland Firebirds enjoying the most dominant run of form in transtasman league history, the Northern Mystics should be a mere speed bump as the maroon juggernaut charges to the 2011 ANZ Championship title.

The weight of factors against the Mystics is overwhelming.

The Firebirds have been untouchable all year, racking up 14 straight wins. The hosts of the ANZ Championship final have never lost the decider. No side has ever gone from fourth to win the title. No New Zealand team has ever won the competition. The Mystics have never beaten the Firebirds.

Not looking too good for the Mystics, is it?

Here's more for you: Firebirds' players dominate the competition's key statistics - star import Romelda Aiken is the competition's most prolific shooter and strongest rebounder, while defender Laura Geitz leads the league in intercepts, deflections and gains.

The Queensland side are the best attacking team in the competition, averaging 58 goals a game. Oh, and they're the best defensive team in the competition as well, with an average winning margin this season of 10 goals. The TAB has installed the Firebirds as firm favourites, paying $1.20 to the Mystics $4.20; the odds are even greater across the Tasman.

Yes, on the surface the task facing the Mystics is looking pretty near mission impossible.

Yet for all the overwhelming mountain of statistics, form and competition history that point firmly in favour of the Firebirds romping to the title in Brisbane tomorrow, you can't shake the feeling the Mystics still have a reasonable chance.

There is no tangible evidence I can offer in support of this. It's just the, well ... vibe in the team.

The Mystics' brilliant late season run has been built on one thing: belief.

That belief has grown with each successive win and they truly believe they are on a journey to win the transtasman league title.

Their motivation is huge. With the match potentially being the last time Mystics captain and Auckland netball stalwart Temepara George will play in the transtasman league, the midcourt dynamo has looked like she is on a mission over the past few weeks.

Likewise veteran midcourter Megan Dehn has signalled this may be her last season and picking up a winners' medal in Brisbane tomorrow would be the fairytale finish.

In a strange way, having the odds so heavily stacked against them actually works in the Mystics' favour.

Odds don't seem to scare them - they have defied the odds right through their playoffs run.

Is the vibe right for them to do it one more time?