Netball: Magic keep Adelaide guessing on final lineup

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic coach Noeline Taurua has not said yet whether she will bring in an outside player. Photo / Dean Purcell

The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic continue to keep everyone guessing over the make-up of their side for tomorrow's preliminary final against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Hamilton.

The Magic will leave it to the last possible moment before revealing if they have chosen to bring an outside player in to their squad as midcourt cover.

With Frances Solia and Halana Leith both under injury clouds, the Magic have all week been toying with the option of bringing in a replacement player for the sudden-death clash.

Leith, who has spent most of the year on the bench, suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the Magic's 15-goal major semifinal loss to the Melbourne Vixens, but there is still hope Solia will be fit for tomorrow's match.

In what appears to be a deliberate ploy to keep the Thunderbirds guessing, Magic coach Noeline Taurua has been playing it coy when it comes to questions over Solia's fitness and which way she is leaning in terms of bringing a replacement player in.

But as of last night, transtasman league boss Anthony Everard had not received any requests from the Magic for a temporary player replacement and it is looking increasingly unlikely they will bring anyone in from outside the squad.

Taurua said she plans on using all the time at her disposal before making a decision. "We've got 24 hours before game day to name our side, so we're still looking at a couple of options and we'll decide closer to the time," said Taurua. "It also depends on how Froggie [Frances Solia] is and we want to give her as much time as possible to prove her fitness."

Taurua said Solia, who suffered a calf tear in the Magic's last hit-out against the Thunderbirds, pulled up well after a light training run with the Waikato side on Wednesday. "She's looking okay. She's still having a bit of treatment on it so we just have to have to wait and see how it is."

The Magic will certainly be sweating on the fitness of Solia as their limited list of options for a replacement player looks to have been exhausted. While reports across the Tasman have speculated the Waikato side were looking at bringing in a import player from England or Jamaica, this has never been the case.

The Magic targeted former international players Jenny-May Coffin, Anna Stanley and Anna Scarlett, but all declined. The only other options open to them were young local talent, such as New Zealand Under-21 midcourter Hayley Crofts.

Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson insists the uncertainty over the Magic team has not served as a distraction for her team. She says she is confident her side have the gameplan to beat them.

"They've got a few issues with fitness ... but we can't let that impact on our preparation. We know with the class they have they'll still find a way to put out a champion team and we will be ready for that."

KEY MATCH-UPS

van Dyk v Mentor
English international Geva Mentor got the better of the Magic sharpshooter in their last meeting two weeks ago, limiting the prolific van Dyk to just 19 goals - virtually unheard of for the Silver Ferns star. Mentor did an impressive job of confusing the space in the circle for the feeders, spoiling possession with some impressive intercepts and deflections. The extremely competitive van Dyk will be determined not to let that happen again in Hamilton and has this week spoken of her desire to lift her game. Van Dyk will need to be deadly accurate and unflappable under pressure if she is to inspire her side to victory.

Tutaia v Gerrard
Tomorrow's game will likely be won and lost in the Magic's shooting end, for that reason the match-up between goal attack Maria Tutaia and Mo'onia Gerrard will also be key. Tutaia was heavily criticised for her casual performance against the Thunderbirds in the Magic's final round loss, after being out-muscled by her Australian rival. The physically imposing Gerrard will once again be out to get under Tutaia's skin and upset her rhythm. The young Silver Fern will need to be more decisive with her movements and stand up to Gerrard's aggressive game. The Australian defender is prone to getting frustrated herself, and if Tutaia can coolly slot those trademark long bombs under pressure, she will go a long way to quieten Gerrard.

Langman v von Bertouch
The battle of the two workaholic midcourters will be one to watch. Langman has been a stand-out performer in the losing Magic sides over the past couple of weeks, one of the few players to fight hard right until the final whistle. The livewire midcourter has a huge influence on both attack and defence and the Magic will be praying on the fitness of wing attack Frances Solia to allow Langman to start centre. The Silver Fern star's speed and tenacity will need to be on full display if she is to shut down the crafty von Bertouch.