Silver Ferns star shooter Irene van Dyk, centre Laura Langman and goal keep Casey Williams all performed their roles with distinction to end the NSW Swifts season a game earlier than expected.
But goal defence Jodi Tod personified the Magic's resolve in yesterday's 54-49 success over the old title favourites, a result that enables them to play the Adelaide Thunderbirds in next Sunday's ANZ Championship decider.
The 29-year-old has been unable to train extensively since suffering her leg injury when the Swifts swamped the Magic by 17 goals on June 7.
But those pains - and bad memories - eased as Tod and Williams kept shooters Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley under control while van Dyk was irrepressible at the other end of the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Since tweaking her calf Tod has spent the early part of the week observing training from an exercise bike, while her teammates go through their drills.
A pre-game warm-up is pretty much the extent of her preparation - but the less is more approach clearly benefits the understated member of the Magic's defensive end.
Consigned to toil in the shadow of Williams, Tod more than pulled her weight, regardless of a heavily strapped lower limb.
While Williams' athleticism automatically catches the eye, Tod is barely noticeable -- though the stats from yesterday's preliminary final compare favourably with the Silver Ferns captain.
Tod and Williams each snatched three intercepts and numerically she out-performed the Swifts English goal keep Sonia Mkoloma and Australia's player of the tournament Rebecca Bulley - neither managed an intercept a pass bound for van Dyk or Jodi Brown.
Ironically, Magic coach Noeline Taurua felt Tod's injury helped sharpen her focus.
"Because she's been injured she's been more purposeful in what she's been doing," Taurua said.
"She knows she can't run around, she has to go into specific spaces so now she's being smarter. The last three games have been her best."
Taurua felt Tod, a Silver Ferns squad member in 2008, was worthy of trialling for the national side again.
Tod has had a contrasting campaign, at one point she was moved to wing defence when Taurua experimented after Peta Scholz was ruled out with a knee injury.
Now she is back in her comfort zone in tandem with Williams.
"Casey and I have a good combination. The defensive unit is really clicking. I'm smiling, so that's a good thing," she said.
And her own form, despite being hamstrung by a dicey calf?
"It's getting better. My best is still to come but I'm happy with where my game is now compared to the middle of the season."
A collective effort like yesterday also makes playing through the pain barrier worthwhile.
"It was a full team performance. There was individual brilliance but that was brought back in to the team. That's where our focus is and it's really working for us."
Taurua agreed: "We want to known as a team, not the star individuals we have," she said."
"We really focus on being one, one big energy mass. Individuals have no room in the team, everyone is there to do a job and contribute to team unity."
Still, Tod is realistic about her standing next to Williams.
"As much as people say it must annoy you, Casey can take it (the credit). I don't mind doing all that dirty work."
