-
Temepara George - Source: Photosport -
Related
2010 ANZ Championship Netball Preview
Northern Mystics
2010 Squad: Temepara George, Kayla Cullen, Bailey Mes, Catherine Latu, Maria Tutaia, Grace Rasmussen, Sule Tone-Fitzpatrick, Jenny May Coffin, Larissa Willcox, Finau Palu, Joline Henry, Althea Byfield.
Recruits: Kayla Cullen, Bailey Mes, Maria Tutaia (Waikato/BOP Magic), Sule Tone-Fitzpatrick, Jenny May Coffin (Retirement), Larissa Willcox (Canterbury Tactix), Joline Henry (Waikato/BOP Magic), Althea Byfield (Import).
Losses: Jade Topia, Rachel Rasmussen, Stephanie Bond, Rawinia Everitt, Debbie White, Vilimaina Davu, Keshia Grant, Pamela Cookey.
Key players: The Northern Mystics have cleaned out nearly their entire 2009 roster and have poached some of the hottest talent in the New Zealand game. Silver Fern shooter Maria Tutaia has made the easy move up State Highway One and will form a deadly combination with the commanding Catherine Latu. Two Silver Fern defenders in Larissa Willcox and Joline Henry along with Jamaican import Althea Byfield should tighten up the deficiencies at the other end while the evergreen Jenny May Coffin comes out of retirement to add some composure to the mid-court. All that star power is indeed notable but in reality the energiser bunny, centre and captain Temepara George, is the real diamond of their court.
History: Like the Blues Super 14 team in recent years, the Northern Mystics have been the perpetual under-achievers of the New Zealand game. In their inaugural season they finished seventh overall with a 5-8 win-loss record under the guidance of former Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering. Willering was promptly dumped as head coach and her replacement for the 2009 season was former assistant coach Te Aroha Keenan.
Coach: Te Aroha Keenan
What happened in 2009?
Despite a strong recruitment drive, where they scored the talents of former Silver Fern and Fijian coach Vilimaina Davu and English international Pamela Cookery, the Mystics again flattered to deceive. They ended up finishing eighth place, one spot lower than in the previous season.
What are the prospects for 2010?
There is little doubt that the Mystics have the potential in 2010 to put their demons of their two previous lacklustre campaigns to bed. They now have arguably the most talented squad of any New Zealand franchise and should push for a top-four spot accordingly. For the Mystics to achieve this though they will need to have put the work in during the pre-season. They have been criticised in past for their lack of match fitness and, especially against Australian sides, they will need to call on all reserves.
The big question: Can all of the Mystics' stars gel into a coherent unit?
As the new ANZ Championship season gets set to kick off tvnz.co.nz's brand new ANZ Champs tipping game is also ready for action - learn more, support your team, and get tipping NOW!
