Tasmanian Magpies are in danger of entering next weekend's Australian Netball League finals out of form.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The reigning champions were caught amid a sluggish start in Saturday evening's double-header opener, falling to Territory Storm 63-60 on the Sunshine Coast.
The loss strangely is the fifth of its kind in succession that followed seven wins in the opening eight matches of the 2019 campaign.
The Tasmanians trailed 18-12 at quarter-time and never could get back in the game.
They regained their mojo late with a 16-13 final quarter, but could not make up the Storm's six-goal buffer at the last change.
Magpies assistant coach Claire Dennis called the fickle performance a hotly contested clash that would benefit the side's finals campaign.
The former Cavaliers player and coach was unmoved in what is for all intents and purposes match practice with the state's finals berth all but assured six games out.
"With Super Netball players dropping back, there were plenty of combinations run, which proved hard for us to settle," Dennis said.
Sam Gooden and Zoe Claridge were two of the standouts for the Tasmanians, combining and shooting well, while Sharni Lambden battled hard in defence.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
