For the first time in the ANZ Premiership this season the Northern Mystics are on the road,
heading to Dunedin for their round three clash against the Southern Steel on Monday
evening.

In 2024 the Mystics had the edge over the Steel, two games to one, but it was their second
meeting at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin where the Steel had the upper hand, something the
Mystics will be looking to rectify on Monday.

With both teams coming out of round two with wins, this is shaping up as the clash of the
round. Mystics coach Tia Winikerei has no doubts that the Steel will be wanting to continue
their winning momentum and is expecting, “Fierce competition. The Steel have
demonstrated they are a force this season and they will be super tough to play at home.”

Looking at her Mystics side, Winikerei is impressed with the way they are coming together,
training hard and learning fast. For her the player leadership group of Sokolich-Beatson,
Earle and Toeava, has been outstanding, but knows that there is still plenty of work to do.
She acknowledges that in last week’s match against the Pulse, “We lost a lot of ball…so we
definitely need to tidy this up.”

All eyes will be on Monday’s game with tantalising match ups at both ends of the court.
Outstanding Mystics defender Catherine Hall will be up against deadly Steel shooter Aliyah
Dunn at one end and at the other, former Mystics defender Carys Stythe has the job of
closing down the impressive Donnell Wallam.

Part of the Mystics team for the past 3 season, Stythe learnt her craft at the club and
Winikerei acknowledges that she is having an amazing start to life at the Steel, “Carys has
been great for the Steel. She’s proven she is the rock for the defence end and has been
winning the ball everywhere. We need to watch out for her rangy arms and ability to read
play well, so our craft with the ball will be key.”

With both teams showing how quickly they can score, the key to winning this match might be
in the speed and quality of ball delivery into each of the goal circles and taking extra care
with any hard-earned turnover ball.

This match also puts the Georgie Salter Memorial Trophy on the line, which is currently held
by the Steel. This trophy means a lot of both franchises and you can bet that both teams will
leave everything out on court in their bid to claim it.

Steel v Mystics
Monday 26th May
7.30pm
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Catch the match live on Sky Sport