Netball: Thunderbirds tipped to make Magic work hard

Irene van Dyk. Photo / Alan Gibson

The Thunderbirds' shock win over the talent-stacked NSW Swifts last weekend has provided the Magic with a timely reminder how dangerous the Adelaide side can be.

The Magic are looking to lock down second place in the ANZ Championship ladder when they take on the Thunderbirds tomorrow across the Tasman.

The defending champion Thunderbirds are a shadow of the side that beat the Magic in last year's grand final, having lost a raft of top internationals in the off-season.

But coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson has developed the young group into a unit recognised for their grit and determination, which was evident in last weekend's impressive win over the Swifts.

The Thunderbirds defensive trio of Kate Shimmin, Sharni Layton and Jo Sutton aren't easily intimidated and won't be afraid to get in the faces of the Magic attackers. The home side are likely to target Magic sharpshooter Irene van Dyk and captain Laura Langman - their key ball distributor.

Langman said they were expecting a physical approach and it was something " we're going to have to be able to absorb".

"When we have the ball we need to make sure we convert it, and we need to be relentless on defence - just turn the ball over and score from it as much as we can."

With a final round match-up against the Central Pulse, the Magic are still well-placed to make the top four even if they drop tomorrow's match against the Thunderbirds.

But they cannot afford to relax. Their performances over the past couple of weeks have failed to inspire much hope they can wrest the 2011 crown away from the Queensland Firebirds, who already look to have a firm grip on the trophy. The Waikato side followed up a heavy loss to the Swifts in round nine with shaky wins over the Tactix and Steel in last week's super round.

The Magic are third on 16 points, equal points with the Swifts, who had a 40-39 win over Southern Steel on Thursday to move into second. But the Magic have a game in hand against the Swifts and a win tomorrow will allow them to leap clear with a two-point advantage.

The league's penultimate round continues today when the Vixens host a slowly improving Central Pulse in Melbourne.

The Northern Mystics will be looking to dominate the winless Canterbury Tactix in Auckland tomorrow, while the pacesetting Firebirds host West Coast Fever in Brisbane on Monday.

Game time

ANZ Championship - round 11
* Today: 4.20pm Melbourne Vixens v Central Pulse, Melbourne.
* Tomorrow: 4.20pm Adelaide Thunderbirds v Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, Adelaide; 6.20pm Northern Mystics v Canterbury Tactix, Auckland.
* Monday: 9.40pm Queensland Firebirds v West Coast Fever, Brisbane.