Netball: The Magic view

Irene van Dyk

Sticking to a simple game plan is what Magic shooter Irene van Dyk attributes her side's success to in this year's National Bank Cup.

The Magic have finished in the top four the last two years but this year are touted by many as the most likely to end the Sting's six-year stranglehold on the competition.

The reason for their success?

"We all bought into our game plan," van Dyk said.

"[Coach] Noeline [Taurua] has us playing a very simple game and we are following through on it."

The other key factor could be their line-up which includes five current Silver Ferns - van Dyk, new cap Anna Senio, Laura Langman, Joline Henry and Casey Williams.

In the past the Magic's downfall has been forcing the ball into van Dyk, only to see the defence gobble it up.

"We have tried to add some variety into our game. We play the short game when it is on and play the longer passes when it is on but only when it is on."

What has also made a huge difference is the rise of Senio, who has taken a lot of the pressure off van Dyk by being more available for the ball and putting up more shots.

"You play with more confidence when you know it is likely to go in when she takes the shot."

Van Dyk concedes the Force's defensive unit - Linda Vagana, Leana de Bruin and Sheryl Scanlan - is tricky to get around.

"They space mark, which makes it really hard for the feeders to know where your space is. They confuse the space and are masters because they have been doing it so long. They have a good understanding between their defensive pair [Vagana and de Bruin] and with Sheryl [Scanlan] at wing defence.

"Linda [Vagana] also has a lot of elevation and reads the game unbelievably well."

Sitting at the top of the shooting table with 93 per cent, van Dyk said one of her personal goals for the season is to cut down the number of times she steps in before shooting.

"Those goal keepers who jump the shots - as soon as you step in they are going to take the ball and run with it.

"By standing still they have to be three feet [away]. I am the tallest by far so it should be impossible for them if I have a stable base to get close to the ball.

"I am just trying to have a bit of variety under the goal post, not run out and go haywire outside of the circle. When I do that I confuse everyone around me."

The Magic had the better of the Force when the sides met back in round two, running away with it in the first quarter. But as van Dyk says, semifinal netball is different.

"Yvonne [Willering] would have done her homework - she's a smart cookie. We have been playing well, a little bit inconsistent at times. Our focus this week has been on letting the ball go and trusting each other."