A finals berth last year, fighting to stay off the bottom this year

That's the reality for the Mainland Tactix heading into tonight's ANZ Premiership netball match against the Northern Stars.

In a contrast to last season where they finished third and made the playoffs, the Tactix sit last on the ladder, though a win tonight would lift them to fifth.

However midcourter Kimiora Poi says it isn't hard to look at why this season's been unsuccessful for them.

She says they lost a number of key players to injuries and have found it difficult to fill those gaps.

Centre pass from Christchurch is at 7:40pm.