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Veteran goaler Sharelle McMahon will hold off making any decisions on her playing future until after the Melbourne Vixens’ trans-Tasman netball season, which may or may not end on Sunday.
The Vixens host the Queensland Firebirds in the preliminary final, with the winner to face the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the grand final.
The former Australian captain returned to the ANZ Championship this season following a ruptured Achilles and the birth of her son last year.
“I’ve been on a one year contract for a long time now and it’s always year by year,” said McMahon, due to turn 36 in August.
“For me it’s about focusing on what’s happening during this finals series.
“I’ll just wait and see what happens.”
McMahon’s steely determination and poise under pressure, proven in more than 100 Tests for Australia, will be vital in helping the inconsistent Vixens get across the line.
They crumbled in the final quarter of their major semi-final against the Thunderbirds, allowing the minor premiers to run away with a 10-point win.
“If we go where we want to this season we need to be more consistent,” she said.
“Our year from game to game and even quarter to quarter has been inconsistent.
“We need a four quarter effort.”
The Vixens and Firebirds have split their results this year and are evenly matched across the court.
The battle between Melbourne defenders Geva Mentor and Bianca Chatfield, rated the best in the competition, and the Queensland goalers, Jamaican Romelda Aiken and Diamond Nat Medhurst, will be intriguing.
McMahon, who along with Chatfield, led the Vixens to the title in 2009, said the Firebirds’ improved midcourt, including 19-year-old centre Kimberley Ravaillion, was key to their success.
“They’ve got a really slick attack end.
“They’ve brought a few new, exciting players through their midcourt which has really propelled them this year.
“There’s a lot of challenges for us right across the court, it won’t be about focusing on one end or the other.”