2015 ANZ Championship Round 9 Preview

2015 ANZ Championship Round 9 Preview

Round 9 Fixtures:

Mojo Pulse v NSW Swifts
Saturday 25 April, 4.10pm
TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

West Coast Fever v Kia Magic
Sunday 26 April, 10.18pm
HBF Stadium, Perth

Melbourne Vixens v Mainland Tactix
Sunday 26 April, 2.18pm
Hisense Arena, Melbourne

SKYCITY Mystics v Mission Queensland Firebirds
Sunday 26 April, 7.10pm
The Trusts Arena, Auckland

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Monday 27 April, 7.40pm
More FM Arena, Dunedin

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Game Talking Points:

Mojo Pulse v NSW Swifts
Saturday 25 April, 4.10pm
TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

Media Contacts:
Pulse - Catherine Rossiter-Stead
M: +64 21 047 1723
E: Catherine@pulse.org.nz
Swifts - Rebecca Trbojevich
M: +61 448 160 778
E: rtbojevich@netballnsw.com
Swifts - Victoria Bain
M: +61 449 903 405
E: vbain@netballnsw.com

Broadcast Live - FOX SPORTS 2 (AUS); SKY SPORT 1 (NZ)

Umpires: Yvonne Morgan, Danielle Maulder
Reserve: Liz Boon

Head to Head:

The Facts:

LAST MEETING: Round 5, 2014: Swifts 63 def Pulse 45, Sydney
• The Swifts leads the Pulse 5-2 in seven previous meetings.
• Both of the Pulse’s wins over the Swifts have been in New Zealand.
• The Pulse’s Round 13, 2009 win over the Swifts in Porirua was their first ever ANZ Championship victory.
• The Pulse sits 4th on the New Zealand conference ladder with just two wins from their opening seven matches.
• The Swifts are in 4th place on the Australian conference ladder with three wins, two draws and two losses.
• The Swifts have the 3rd best attacking record in the ANZ Championship with 54.86 goals per match while they are ranked 7th defensively with 52.57 goals per match being scored against them.
• The Pulse have the 3rd best defensive record with 48.86 goals per match being scored against them.
• The Swifts have the 3rd best shooting accuracy in the ANZ Championship with 84.8 per cent while the Pulse have the 3rd worst record with 77.9 per cent.
• Pulse coach Robyn Broughton coached her 100th ANZ Championship match in Round 8 when the Pulse took on the Fever in Wellington. Broughton coached the Steel in 54 matches between 2008 and 2011 before joining the Pulse in 2012. Broughton is the second ANZ Championship coach to notch 100 matches behind Jane Woodlands-Thompson who has led the Thunderbirds in 109 matches.
• Swifts shooter Caitlin Thwaites played her 100th ANZ Championship match in Round 8 against the Mystics.
The Pulse has two players who are yet to take the court yet in 2015; Hannah Poff and Jessica Bourke.
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West Coast Fever v Kia Magic
Sunday 26 April, 10.18pm
HBF Stadium, Perth

Media Contacts:
Fever - Sasha Jones
M: +61 408 468 678
E: bluedogcommunications@bigpond.com
Magic - Greg Palmer
M: +64 21 687 184
E: Greg.Palmer@netballwbop.co.nz

Broadcast Live - FOX SPORTS 2 (AUS); ONE (AUS); SKY SPORT 1 (NZ)

Umpires: Rachael Ayre & Michelle Phippard
Reserve: Tara Warner

Head to Head:

Challenge Trophy:
Successful defences: 4
Round 2 2015 - West Coast Fever (67) def SKYCITY Mystics (51)
Round 3 2015 - West Coast Fever (67) def Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel (60)
Round 5 2015 - West Coast Fever (55) def Adelaide Thunderbirds (50)
Round 6 2015 - West Coast Fever (53) def Melbourne Vixens (47)

The Facts:

LAST MEETING: Round 5, 2014: Magic 65 def Fever 48, Tauranga
• West Coast Fever will defend the Challenge Trophy for the fifth time this season. They have successfully defended the Challenge Trophy in Round 2 (defeated SKYCITY Mystics 67-51), Round 3 (defeated Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 67-60), Round 5 (defeated Adelaide Thunderbirds 55-50) and Round 6 (defeated Melbourne Vixens 53-47).

• Fever has equalled the club’s best ever winning streak of four matches between Round 14, 2014 and Round 3 of this season. In Round 4 Fever played a draw with the NSW Swifts. Fever is yet to be defeated in 2015.
• Fever’s Round 6 victory against the Vixens set a new club record of five consecutive victories on their home court in Perth.
• Sunday’s match will be West Coast Fever’s 100th game overall in the ANZ Championship. They are the last of the five Australian teams to reach the milestone. Before this season Fever had an overall winning percentage of 28 per cent. That has now improved to 33 per cent following their unbeaten start to the season.
• Fever coach Stacey Rosman was the team’s inaugural captain when the ANZ Championship began in 2008.
• Sunday’s match will also be West Coast’s 50th home game overall. They have a 45 per cent winning record in Perth with one draw against the Mojo Pulse back in 2008.
• Fever goal shooter Caitlin Bassett is also set to become the first West Coast player to reach the 100-game milestone. Bassett is the second most prolific goalscorer all-time in the ANZ Championship with 3600 goals and one of the side’s two foundation players still in its squad.

• Bassett is the second highest goalscorer from long-range in the competition after eight rounds behind Romelda Aiken. Bassett has scored 112 of her 358 goals from long-range at 86 per cent accuracy.
• Fever goal attack Natalie Medhurst is one of three players in the competition to be shooting at an accuracy of 90 per cent or better after eight rounds along with SKYCITY Mystics’ Cathrine Latu (94.3 per cent) and Mwai Kumwenda (90.9). Medhurst’s 117 goals have come at 90 per cent accuracy
• Kia Magic’s total of 42 goals in their loss to the Mission Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane was the lowest score of any side in Round 8.
• Magic was one of three sides in Round 8 to lead at quarter time but not go on and win their match. Fever were one of three sides that trailed at quarter time but went onto win their respective match.
• The Magic is the second lowest scoring side on average in the competition after eight rounds with 47 goals per match. Fever is the second highest scoring team, averaging 59.3 goals per match.
• Magic averages 55.4 goals a match from their seven encounters against the Fever with three totals of more than 60 goals. West Coast averages 47.1 goals per game against the Magic.
• The Magic have won four of their past seven matches played in Australia. The Magic is the most successful New Zealand side in Australia, winning nine of their 27 matches played on the opposite side of the Tasman.
• Magic has an average winning margin of 10.7 goals from their six victories against the Fever have won two of their three previous visits to Perth by an average of six goals.
• Fever’s only victory against the Magic came in Round 6, 2013, when they won 57-51 in Perth.
Magic goal shooter Jo Harten needs 11 goals to reach 1500 career goals in her ANZ Championship career in only her fourth season in the competition. She scored 800 goals in two seasons for the Mainland Tactix (2012-2013) and 689 goals for the Magic since joining them in 2014.
• Stand-in Magic captain Leana de Bruin is ranked No.1 in the competition for defensive rebounds with 16.
• Fever’s New Zealand import Erena Mikaere is the No.1 player in the competition for blocks (4) with teammate April Letton equal second along with Phoenix Karaka (3). De Bruin is next best with two. Fever defender Josie Janz-Dawson is also inside the top 10 for blocks.Magic defender Kristiana Manu’a is ranked No.3 in the competition for intercepts (16) with Fever captain Ashleigh Brazill the leading midcourter in that category on 14.
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Melbourne Vixens v Mainland Tactix
Sunday 26 April, 2.18pm
Hisense Arena, Melbourne

Media Contacts:
Vixens - Briony Carlyon
M: +61 417 183 277
E: briony.carlyon@netballvic.com.au
Tactix - Leanne Harris
M: +64 275 526 876
E: Leanne.Harris@netballmainland.co.nz

Broadcast Live - FOX SPORTS 2 (AUS); SKY SPORT 1 (NZ)

Umpires: Josh Bowring & Sharon Kelly
Reserve: Helen George

Head to Head:

The Facts:

LAST MEETING: Rd 5, 2014: Vixens 67 def Tactix 43, Christchurch
• Melbourne Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield has announced she will retire at the conclusion of the 2015 ANZ Championship season. The 33-year-old has been captain or co-captain of the Vixens every season since the competition began in 2008 and led them to titles in 2009 – along with Sharelle McMahon – and 2014. Chatfield is the only athlete to have played 100 matches for the Vixens (105). Her departure will leave Madi Robinson as the sole foundation player still with the team next season.
• The Vixens have an average winning margin overall of 19.1 goals a match against the Tactix from their seven previous encounters. In Melbourne that average is 21 goals with the closest result being 15 goals (65-50) in Round 7, 2011.
• The Vixens have scored 60 goals or more in six of their seven encounters against the Tactix with 58 goals in their inaugural meeting in Round 4, 2008 their lowest tally. The Tactix have scored 50 goals twice against the Vixens – in Round 4, 2008 and Round 7, 2011.
• The Tactix have lost their past 16 matches by an average of 11.9 goals. Their last victory came in Round 4, 2014 when they defeated the Mojo Pulse in Napier.
• Vixens shooter Karyn Bailey shot 40 goals in a match for the fourth time in her career in their nine-goal win over the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel last round in what was also her 50th ANZ Championship appearance. Her 41 goals was her best performance since shooting a career-high 43 goals in Round 5 last season.
• Tactix import Mwai Kumwenda is the second most accurate shooter in the competition after eight rounds behind SKYCITY Mystics’ Cathrine Latu. Kumwenda’s 252 goals have come at 90.9 per cent accuracy. She is one of three players to be averaging 90 per cent or better.
• Bailey Mes produced her best performance since joining the Tactix in the side’s 12-goal defeat against the Adelaide Thunderbirds last round. Mes shot 25 goals at 74 per cent accuracy in her best return since she shot 38 goals (88 per cent accuracy) while playing for the SKYCITY Mystics against the Thunderbirds in Round 13, 2013.
• The Vixens are the No.2 ranked defensive side in the competition, conceding an average of 48 goals a match.
• The Mission Queensland Firebirds is the best defensive side, conceding an average of 47.6 goals a match.
• The Tactix is conceding an average of 62.7 goals per game.
• The Vixens have conceded 50 goals in a match for the first time since Rounds 6-8 in the 2011 season
• The Vixens have the fourth best attacking record in the competition, scoring an average of 52.7 goals a match.
• The Tactix is the sixth best with an average of 51 goals a game.
• The Vixens 21-goal second term against the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel was the highest scoring quarter of Round 8. They were also one of three teams that trailed at quarter-time but went onto win the match.
• Tactix defender Jess Moulds is ranked inside the top 10 in the competition for deflections (28) and gains (23).Captain Anna Thompson has the most goal assists of any Tactix player so far this season with 64 after seven matches. Liz Watson is the leading Vixens player for goal assists with 82.
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SKYCITY Mystics v Mission Queensland Firebirds
Sunday 26 April, 7.10pm
The Trusts Arena, Auckland

Media Contacts:
Mystics - Caley Wilson
M: +64 21 804 004
E: caley@mynewfavourite.com
Firebirds - Toni Caldwell
M: +61 439 779 069
E: toni.caldwell@netballq.org.au

Broadcast Live - FOX SPORTS 5 (AUS); SKY SPORT 4 (NZ)

Umpires: Jono Bredin & Liz Boon
Reserve: Fay Meiklejohn

Head to Head:

The Facts:

LAST MEETING: Round 5, 2014: Firebirds 58 def Mystics 50, Brisbane
• The Mystics are yet to defeat the Firebirds in seven previous meetings.
• The Firebirds have an average winning margin of 12-goals in seven meetings between the sides.
• The Firebirds sit in 2nd place on the Australian conference ladder with five wins, a draw and a loss.
• The Mystics are the New Zealand conference leaders with four wins, two draws and two losses.
• The Mystics are coming of a 50-66 loss to the Swifts in Sydney in Round 8. This was the Mystics biggest loss of the season and they didn’t win a quarter but drew the second.
• The Firebirds are coming off a 50-42 win over the Magic in Brisbane in Round 8. The Firebirds trailed 20-23 at half time against Magic but won the second half 30-19 to take the win.
• The Firebirds have the best record of any Australian side on New Zealand soil with 15 wins from their 19 ANZ Championship matches. The Firebirds have won their past seven matches in New Zealand with their last loss in 2012 against the Firebirds.
• The Firebirds have won their past nine matches against New Zealand teams, their last loss against a New Zealand side was in Round 10, 2013 against the Magic.
• The Mystics have the 5th best attacking record in the ANZ Championship with 51.13 goals per match.
• The Firebirds have the 5th best attacking record with 50.43 goals per match while they have the best defensive record with just 47.57 goals per match being scored against them.
• The Mystics have the 2nd best shooting accuracy with 85.9 per cent while the Firebirds have the 2nd worst accuracy with 77.8 per cent.
• Mystics captain Maria Tutaia has shot 182 goals at 81.3 per cent at an average of 22.8 goals per match well up on her 76.6 per cent accuracy from 2014.
• All 12 members of the Mystics team have had court time during the 2015 season.
• Mahalia Cassidy (Firebirds) made her ANZ Championship debut against the Magic in Round 8. Cassidy replaced Caitlyn Nevins at wing attack at quarter time and played out the rest of the match.
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Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Adelaide Thunderbirds
Monday 27 April, 7.40pm
More FM Arena, Dunedin

Broadcast Live - FOX SPORTS 2 (AUS); SKY SPORT 1 (NZ)

Umpires: Kristie Simpson, Marise Stuart
Reserve: Jono Bredin

Head to Head:

The Facts:

LAST MEETING: Round 5, 2014: Steel 61 def Thunderbirds 59, Adelaide

• The Thunderbirds lead the Steel 5-3 in seven previous meetings.
• The Steel’s 61-59 win over the Thunderbirds in Adelaide was their first ever win on Australian soil.
• The Thunderbirds sit on the bottom of the Australian conference ladder after eight rounds. The Thunderbirds have a record of three wins, one draw and four losses. The Thunderbirds would be in 2nd place in the New Zealand conference with seven points and their goal percentage of 100.8 per cent.
• The Steel sits in 3rd place on the New Zealand conference ladder with two wins and five losses.
• The Thunderbirds are coming off a 63-51 victory over the Tactix in Christchurch in Round 8. Thunderbirds maintained their unbeaten record over the Tactix to extend their winning run to eight consecutive matches with their 63-51 win in Round 8.
• The Thunderbirds returned to Adelaide in between their Round 8 and 9 matches in New Zealand and will arrive in Dunedin on Saturday for their clash against the Steel on Monday night.
• The Thunderbirds have the 4th best defensive record with 49 goals per match being scored against them.
• The Steel has the best attacking record in the ANZ Championship after eight rounds with 62.43 goals per match while they are the 2nd worst defensive side with 61.43 goals per match scored against them.
• The Thunderbirds are ranked 7th for shooting accuracy with 78 per cent across the opening eight rounds while the Steel is the 4th most accurate side with 83.4 per cent.
• The Thunderbirds despite having only won three matches this season have been close in every match expect their Round 2, 9-goal loss to the Vixens; Lost by 1-goal to Magic 44-45; Lost by 9-goals to Vixens 39-48; Drew with Mystics 51-51; Won by 2-goals over Vixens 47-45; Lost by 5-goals to Fever 50-55; Lost by 2-goals to Firebirds 46-48; Won by 7-goals over the Swifts 56-49; Won by 12-goals over the Tactix 63-51.
• Amy Steel (Thunderbirds) played her 50th ANZ Championship match against the Tactix in Round 8. Steel has played for three ANZ Championship sides, Vixens, Firebirds and Thunderbirds.
• The Thunderbirds have played 22 matches on New Zealand soil; this is the most of any Australian side and they have a record of 11 wins and 11 losses. The Thunderbirds have never had a 100 per cent success in a season in New Zealand, always having lost at least one of their matches in New Zealand.
• The Thunderbirds and Steel have met on New Zealand soil on three occasions with the Steel holding a 3-1 record over the Thunderbirds.
• The Steel and Thunderbirds have previously met in Dunedin twice with the sides winning one match each.
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Recent/Upcoming Birthdays:

19 April 1990 - April Letton (Fever)
20 April 1993 - Storm Purvis (Steel)
30 April 1987 - Erin Bell (Thunderbirds)
30 April 1994 - Liz Watson (Vixens)

Upcoming milestones:

100 Games (ANZ Championship):
NAME (TEAM) - GAMES
Caitlin Bassett (Fever) – 99
Anna Thompson (Tactix) – 97
Joline Henry (Pulse) - 96

50 Games (ANZ Championship):
Jo Harten (Magic) - 48
Daneka Wipiiti (Steel) – 48
Keirra Trompf (Firebirds) - 48
Eboni Beckford-Chambers (Thunderbirds) - 47

4000 career goals:
Romelda Aiken (Firebirds) – 3926

3000 career goals:
Caitlin Thwaites (Swifts) – 2989

2500 career goals:
Carla Borrego (Thunderbirds) – 2487

1500 career goals:
Jo Harten (Magic) – 1489
Paula Griffin (Mystics) – 1447

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