Steel, Pulse fighting for third playoff spot
But Southern Steel fans will be hoping their northern counterparts can throw them a bone in the next couple of weeks.
Two rounds remain in the ANZ Premiership season — scaled back to 10 games this season — and the hunt for a finals spot has never been tighter for the Steel.
The Steel will face the defending champion Northern Mystics on Sunday and wrap up the regular season against the Northern Stars at home in Invercargill on July 14.
But if things go their way — and other results fall nicely, too — there is every chance the Steel could make a welcome return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
The Steel are fourth on the ladder, but share the same record, and points, as the third-placed Central Pulse with four wins and four losses for 13 points.
The Pulse have the edge in goal percentage — 108% compared to the Steel's 103%.
The Wellington side did the Steel no favours in beating the Mainland Tactix 59-50 last weekend and knocking them off the top of the table.
That left the way for the Mystics to claim top spot.
The Steel pushed the Mystics all the way and came up agonisingly short in a 55-54 loss in Dunedin in May.
Both teams have had changes since then. Australian Donnell Wallam, who hurt her wrist against the Steel, returned in the last round for the Mystics, and Silver Fern and co-captain Kate Heffernan is back in the Steel's midcourt.
The Mystics have lost only one of their seven games this season and will be a tough task at home.
The Steel then face the Stars, who have had a horror injury run this season, picking up only one win.
Considering the Steel thumped them 62-46 last month, it is safe to assume this is a winnable game for the Steel.
The Steel have to put their foot down in both games and deny other teams a bonus point — teams get three points for a win and one bonus point for losing by fewer than five — to stay in contention.
The Pulse loom as the biggest problem for the Steel's playoff hopes.
They face the Magic (fifth) and Stars (sixth) in their final two games of the season and are likely to win both those encounters if they fire.
The Pulse will also be desperate to put up some big performances to edge their goal percentage further ahead of the Steel's.
The Magic, who sit 2-6 for eight points, are still an outside chance for the finals but have a tough task against the Pulse and Tactix to round out the season.
After meeting the Steel this weekend, the Mystics wrap up the regular season in a big clash with the Tactix.
If the Tactix beat the Magic this weekend, their game against the Mystics could determine who hosts the final and snags top spot.
Whoever finishes top of the table gets the week off and hosts the final, while No 2 will play No 3 in the elimination final. ANZ Premiership The standings
• Northern Mystics: 7-1, 21 points (next opponents: Steel, Tactix)
• Mainland Tactix: 6-2, 19 points (next opponents: Magic, Mystics)
• Central Pulse: 4-4, 13 points (next opponents: Stars, Magic)
• Southern Steel: 4-4, 13 points (next opponents: Mystics, Stars)
• Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic: 2-6, 8 points (next opponents: Tactix, Pulse)
• Northern Stars: 1-7, 3 points (next opponents: Pulse, Steel)
kayla.hodge@odt.co.nz
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