Kia Magic working hard to get their mojo back
Press Release May 15, 2014
Lost opportunities have left Kia Magic in desperate need of a positive outcome in their ANZ Championship netball rematch with Mainland Tactix, in Tauranga on Monday.
Back-to-back losses in their latest outings to Southern Steel and Central Pulse have twice denied Magic the opportunity of the outright lead in the competition and the luxury of wriggle room. Four teams now sit on equal points on top of a tightly-packed leaderboard, Magic occupying second place on goal percentages.
With three rounds of the regular season remaining, any slip-ups now could prove dire as the jockeying for final positions ahead of the play-offs heats up.
``The Tactix is huge for us,’’ Magic assistant coach Margaret Forsyth said. ``We need a win and to position ourselves on that table regarding goal ratios, we need a sizeable win.’’
After an impressive start to the season, Magic have gone off the boil in recent weeks, losing their accuracy and composure on attack. That has resulted in a lack of fluidity and hesitancy, in the process opening the door for their opposites.
With Tactix steadily improving as a unit throughout the season and playing with confidence, they can be expected to have a decent crack with a view to Magic’s recent form. Magic opened their 2014 campaign with a 70-46 triumph over the same opponents.
``It’s certainly not a lack of belief or a lack of preparation on our part,’’ Forsyth said. ``We’ve gone into those matches ready to go. For some reason when we’re looking at penetrating on attack and letting the ball go, we’re getting a bit conservative.``It’s something we need to push through and have the courage, to feel the fear, and do it anyway, and keep looking down and keep letting the ball go.’’
According to Forsyth, it won’t take much adjustment to turn Magic’s fortunes around but requires all players doing their bit.
``I think the secret to our success so far has been our ability to play as a team,’’ she said.
``We don’t have a team of stars but we’ve been able to play really well as a team with everyone stepping up and delivering 150 percent all game.
``We’ve lost our way in the last couple of matches, and now we need to get everybody back delivering that output and that accuracy for 60 minutes.
``We’re not at that desperation point where all is lost. We’ve got some opportunities and some lives left and Tactix is winnable for us. We want to do it, we want to do it well and we want to get that mojo back.’’
After a long and quiet trip back from the Invercargill loss, there is a sense of urgency within the Magic camp to get back on court as soon as possible and put things right.
``It’s very frustrating for us (coaches) sitting on the sideline and pretty frustrating for the players, as well. You know what they’re capable of doing and when it doesn’t come off, it hurts,’’ Forsyth said.
``I’m looking forward to the next game because I want to get it right…….I know we can get it right and it’s a great feeling when you do.
``I know there’s a resolve there and I know they think they’ve sold themselves short. They’re a competitive group and they want to do well.’’
In her first year coaching at this level, the former Silver Fern is thoroughly enjoying the ride.
``It was a dream start,’’ she said. ``You couldn’t have asked for anything more as a coach. It’s a great group, the team dynamics are fantastic, we’ve got great leaders, the results have been fantastic and we’ve just had a couple of hiccups along the way, that’s sport.
``It would be a little naïve to think that any team could go through the competition totally unbeaten. It’s about winning the total race and stepping up to the plate week-in week-out and striving to deliver what you know you can.’’
Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287
