Netball: Aussie legend helps repair Mystics duo's battered confidence

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A mid-week catch-up with Australian shooting legend Vicki Wilson has helped battling Mystics stars Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia repair their confidence.

"Emotionally destroyed" after opening the transtasman league season with two dismal shooting performances, the under-fire Mystic duo found this week's Silver Ferns' training session timely as they look to get their season back on track against the Central Pulse tomorrow.

In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games, the Ferns' management is holding training sessions in regional clusters so they can keep proper tabs on the players before the July tournament.

The performances of Latu, team captain Tutaia and rookie Bailey Mes, who is in the hunt for selection in the Glasgow team, will be cause for concern for Wilson and Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu because of the trio's abysmal shooting statistics in the opening two rounds.

Replaced at halftime in the Mystics' 50-36 loss to the Magic after sinking only eight goals in 30 minutes, Latu said she was in tears following the team's second heavy defeat of the season.

But after time to reflect on her performances this week, she is confident she can regain her edge.

"I was emotionally destroyed. I wasn't angry at what had happened, I was pissed off at myself more than anything. I just knew I didn't give everything that I had. So I had a good cry about it because I was so frustrated and disappointed and that shows how much passion we have to do better, because we know we have it in us."

Latu said this week's pre-planned training session with Wilson helped remind the players of their strengths, and what a difference doing the basics well can have on their game.

A team review of last week's game also enabled Latu put their performance in perspective as others in the group put their hands up for the failings of the attack end.

"We've also got to look at how the ball is being given to us, or the lack of. That's a combination of heaps of things - it's us not being available, it's the feeders not letting it go, and the way the ball is coming through the court. I think we've taken for granted the links we've had in the Silver Ferns environment and not worked on it as much as we should."

Tutaia went into the season promising to lead from the front and said she was more disappointed than anyone that she hasn't been able to set the tone right from the outset.

Known for her calm manner and ability to sink the long bombs with seemingly effortless grace, Tutaia has looked unusually flustered under the attention of opposition defences. While the pressure has been getting to her on the court, Tutaia remains upbeat off the court and said the poor start hasn't shaken her belief in the side.

"In these situations you can't self-destruct," she said. "Sometimes you get so fixated on what the opposition are going to do, when really if we just go back to what we know and focus on doing our jobs correctly then everything else will follow through."

With two tough showdowns against Australian teams following this weekend's clash against the Pulse, Tutaia said it was vital they got a win under their belt this weekend. The Mystics could be boosted by the return of Anna Harrison this week after the experienced defender took part in yesterday's training session. Coach Debbie Fuller said a final call on Harrison's fitness would be made after testing tomorrow morning.

After their upset win over the Mystics last week the Magic will look to make it three-from-three against the Southern Steel on Monday.

The Tactix are given little chance of breaking their duck this season when they take on the Fever in Perth tomorrow.