Mystics season in a nut shell - ANZC 2013

It has been well documented this season that the Northern Mystics have had a season to forget. With everything from pregnancies, injuries and retirements it made it hard for the girls to build momentum and continue their form in recent years.

The early announcement of Anna Harrison's pregnancy prior to the pre season tournament in Melbourne, followed closely by the injury to Charlotte Kight was always going to have an affect on the defensive structure for the season. Harrison is one of the competitions best defenders, can be slightly unorthodox but does her part at disrupting the shooters, lets not forget the Harrison Hoist in last years competition. Last season Kight was in a rich vein of form in the WD position and was combining well with her defenders.

The off season signing of Julie Corletto from the Vixens had netball fan's itching to find out how the combination of Corletto, Kight, Cullen and Harrison would pan out, a mouth watering prospect. With Harrison expected to return next year we will have to wait for the combinations to play out on the court.

However with doom and gloom comes optimism and promise. Young defenders Jess Bourke, Jess Moulds and Malia Paseka were given the opportunity to show their skills and push for a possible full time contract next season. Full of youthful confidence, energy the girls had an impact and will be better for the game experience in the coming seasons.

Temepara Bailey's retirement was going to leave an inevitable hole in the midcourt and this season it was truly realised. The experiment of Kayla Cullen at C was a bit of hit and miss. At times her feeding was exceptional, however it still remains to be seen if this will be trailed in the future. 

Long bomb specialist Maria Tutaia was given the sole captaincy duties after Harrison pulled out. During some of the early games, it was evident at times that perhaps Maria was trying to take on too much of the workload and things started to slip. Its well known her strength is her long range shooting as well as the movement and space she creates in the goal circle for players like Cat Latu and IVD, it was pleasing as the season went on that she pulled back and focused on her role. It would have been a tough situation to be thrown into as captain in a loosing team but she will benefit as a player and a leader going forward for this.

The recently announced season MVP went to Bailey Mes who had a fantastic impact late in the season in the GS position. After finishing the regular season with 83% accuracy, 24 rebounds and 12 goal assits she is well deserved of the accolade. The round 13 match up against top of the table Thunderbirds was a highlight not only for Bays but for the rest of the team. It would certainly give a team confidence when you have shooters who are both prepared to take the long bombs and be successful. Could this possibly be a future Silver Fern position for Mes?

Julie Corletto came into the Mystics team after the well publicized battles to join her husband Darryl after he transferred to the Breakers last year. It took a few games for Julie to find her feet and adapt to the NZ style of play but she certainly had a fantastic combination with Cullen in the defensive end. 

In a nut shell, it really has been a year of transitions, rebuilding and restructuring the team going forward. 

The Mystics will be back next year, and a keen eye will be kept on the off season signings and changes to the squad.