Match preview: Vixens v Mystics

A week fresh from having their finals hopes dashed by the NSW Swifts and the Mystics having already qualified for finals in the New Zealand conference, the Vixens will hope to avoid the dead-rubber tag surrounding the match and send off their long-serving captain in style.

They will travel to Auckland without goal keeper Geva Mentor with youngster Emily Mannix waiting in the wings.

It will see interest added to the Mystics’ shooting circle, with goal shooter Catherine Latu boasting the highest shooting percentage (93.6 per cent) and goal attack Maria Tutaia leading the way for long range shots, shooting at 81.6 per cent accuracy.

Both sides are almost even when it comes to the attacking end of the court, but it is the defensive end that causes most concern for the New Zealand side; in the bottom three for scores against.

Recent history favours the visitors who have won six of the eight clashes between the two sides, including the last three. Their last match up saw the Vixens comfortably account for the Mystics by 24 goals back in Round 1 last year at Melbourne.

The Mystics’ – the leaders of the New Zealand Conference – only recent wins have come against New Zealand sides in the last fortnight, against the Tactix and Magic; following their only other win coming against the Pulse back in early April.

The Vixens, in spite of their season-ending loss last week, have shown an incline in promise in recent weeks, with Chloe Watson and Jo Weston demonstrating they are ready to take the court at anytime.

Both Tegan Philip and Karyn Bailey have been in ominous form and if the Vixens are allowed to get a roll on, could be putting up a big score to close out their season.

LAST MEETING: Rd 1, 2014: Vixens 58 def Mystics 34, Melbourne

• The Vixens hold a 6-2 record over the Mystics in eight previous meetings.
• The Vixens have won the past three meetings between the sides.
• The Vixens loss to the Swifts in Round 13 ended any chance they had of making the Finals in 2015. The Vixens have won the ANZ Championship twice and failed to make the Finals the season following their win.
• The Mystics secured their place in New Zealand Conference Final when they defeated the Magic in Round 12.
• The Vixens have the sixth best attacking record in the ANZ Championship with 51.17 goals per match while they have the equal fourth best defence (with Swifts) with 50.75 goals per match scored against them.
• The Mystics have the fifth best attacking record in the competition with 52.83 goals per match while they have the third worst defensive record with 53.25 goals scored against them.
• Mystics midcourter Laura Langman leads the league in number of games played in the ANZ Championship. If she takes the court in Rd 14 this will be her 118th consecutive ANZ Championship match.
• Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu has the highest shooting accuracy in the league at 93.6 per cent, while goal attack Maria Tutaia is shooting at 81.6 per cent, most from long range.