Mystics blame performance on 'lack of trust'

(Getty)
(Getty)

Despite two first up losses the Northern Mystics believe their potent shooting trio will help them down the Pulse on Monday night.

But they also need to win the battle of the mind in the final quarter.

Two games, two losses, two poor final quarters against the Steel.

They blew a seven-goal lead to lose by one, while against the West Coast Fever a one-goal deficit blew out to a nine-goal loss.

The Mystics say they aren't coming up short because of a lack of fitness, but a lack of trust when the pressure comes on.

"Trust comes in many different forms. Trust comes in letting the ball go and you know your mates going to go for it. Trust comes from going for the ball knowing it's been put in a position where you're not going to get hurt, it's not [that] we just don't trust one thing, it's a really big pot and we're just trying to work it out at the moment, but it's close," says goal shoot, Catherine Tuivaiti.

Coach Debbie Fuller does have plenty of trust in her goal shoot stocks.

Tuivaiti and basketball convert Megan Craig have started a game each.

Fuller will wait until after Sunday's training to decide if Craig will back up after her debut.

Craig is still learning the game, and Tuivaiti provides a contrast, not just in experience, but her more mobile style.

 Goal attack Maria Tutaia isn't bothered who's partnering her in the circle.

"People say that the goal attack is a secondary shooter, I think that's a load of crap, you're in the circle to put the ball through the hoop," she says.

But the Mystics can trust that the Pulses silver ferns pairing of Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka will be doing their utmost to stop that.

Newshub.