Netball: Experience the Magic ingredient

Magic centre Laura Langman. Photo / Mark McKeown

They may be definite underdogs but the Magic have one vital factor in their favour heading into tomorrow's clash with the Firebirds.

The Queensland side have been peerless this season, yet to drop a match at home or away in compiling a perfect 13 from 13 record.

But the Firebirds have yet to experience playoff netball, having finished fifth in each of the last three seasons. In contrast, the Magic are the only team to have contested every finals series since the establishment of the ANZ Championship in 2008.

"Playoff netball is definitely a step up," says Magic centre Laura Langman, a veteran of eight finals matches including two grand finals. "It is more intense, more competitive, and having the ability to sustain that high energy across a match is a real challenge."

The Magic have been more consistent this year, avoiding the slumps that marked previous seasons. Langman says it's partly due to the successful development of a plan B and C, giving them an ability to shift between game plans within a match.

This might be crucial on Monday, as the Firebirds' defensive pairing of 1.85m Laura Geitz and 1.90m Amy Steel have effectively shut down Irene van Dyk in the past.

"Their defending is tight and extremely dogged," says Langman. "You have to be absolutely spot-on with every ball you put into the circle otherwise it just won't work."

The Firebirds have won the last three encounters between the teams, including a 53-49 win in round eight, while the Magic last beat their Queensland rivals in 2008.

"How do you beat the Firebirds? That is like the Powerball of netball," jokes Langman. "They have had a great season. They set the benchmark from round one and have replicated it every week since then, which is the hardest thing to do in sport."

The Firebirds are unbeaten - but not unbeatable. They have looked more vulnerable since they lost Australian centre Lauren Nourse to injury and were surprisingly pushed at home against the lowly Fever two weeks ago. Casey Williams has shown an ability in the past to rattle Romelda Aiken.

The Firebirds will expect to win and continue an Indian summer for sporting teams in that city. The Queensland Roar took out the A-League, while the Reds and Broncos are among the pacesetters in Super Rugby and the NRL respectively.

Magic vs Firebirds

* Round 8, 2011
Firebirds 53 Magic 49

* Round 11, 2010
Firebirds 55 Magic 54

* Round 4, 2009
Firebirds 53 Magic 42

* Round 10, 2008
Magic 56 Firebirds 50