No Rest For The Tactix Ahead Of Round Three

Following the emphatic Round 2 loss, the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix have shifted focus to fixing key game aspects before taking on the Avis Magic in Hamilton on Sunday.

After a Round 2 loss to the Stars, Head Coach Donna Wilkins has put her squad to work, knowing the northern rival cannot be underestimated, with the side expected to fight for Round 3 redemption.

“We know what it is like after a loss, but they are going to be back at home with their home crowd, so we have to follow our game plan and hopefully come out with the win,” Wilkins said.

The leader has faith in her squad, and is choosing not to dwell on the loss to the Stars.

“We clawed back to within two points in the final minutes of the game, and we are still sitting in second place in the Premiership, it isn’t all doom and gloom,” Wilkins said.

Reflecting on the team's shortcomings in Round 2, Wilkins is calling for better ball possession and a stronger effort from defenders in securing rebounds.

“We had enough possession in the game to win it, but we didn't look after our possession, which is an easy fix and we are working on it this week,” she said.

The Tactix and Magic have a long playing history, having met 42 times since 2008 with the Magic winning 25, the Tactix winning 16 including all matches (bar one) since 2022.

The red and black side are eager to clinch a win but Tactix vice captain Karin Burger knows the Magic cannot be underestimated, after they took a 51-49 win over the Tactix in the penultimate round of the 2024 ANZ Premiership.

“With a short competition, we don't have time to muck around and we can fix aspects of the game asap because the Magic will be hurting after their loss, so I expect they will come out fighting,” Burger said.

The 2-point rule has transformed aspects of the game, with the world-class defender adapting her game to forcing errors and getting rebounds, after the Stars got 100% of rebounds from the lucrative 2-point shot.

“We learn a lot from a loss, and now we know what we have to work harder to achieve. We will learn from the loss and fix the little things - which is really exciting, because when we do, we are going to have a really great game!”

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