Netball: Time to move on from Tutaia heartbreaker

Donna Wilkins (nee Loffhagen) was crucified by the media after missing a shot in the dying stages of the 1999 world championship final. Photo / Supplied

As a netball nation, let's hope we have learned the lessons of 1999. The last time the Silver Ferns lost a world championship final in the final seconds, we took months to move on. Donna Wilkins (nee Loffhagen), who missed a shot in the dying stages of the game, was crucified by a savage media and vengeful public.

Wilkins was 21-years-old at the time and the reaction seemed to have a lasting effect.

She took an extended international sabbatical soon afterwards and 12 years on is still one of the best shooters in the country - but, for various reasons, has not donned a Ferns bib since 2004.

Granted, the circumstances were slightly different in 1999. New Zealand were at home and had been starved of success since 1987. Australian coach Jill McIntosh brought an ageing side to Christchurch, widely derided as 'Jill's Geriatrics'. With free-to-air coverage in prime time, it felt like the whole country was watching that Saturday night in October, as the Ferns conspired to blow a six goal lead with just 15 minutes to play. Coming on the back of one goal losses to the Diamonds in 1995 and 1991, it was all too much to take.

It is critical that Maria Tutaia does not receive the similar treatment following her fateful miss. Hopefully we have matured as a sporting nation but already there are sections blaming the Mystics goal attack. Just like 1999, there are wider issues to examine. We were repeatedly told that the Ferns had prepared for every possible contingency but why were they so caught out by the appearance of Caitlin Bassett in the second half? Courtside, it appeared that Katrina Grant was about to enter the game at halftime, before the GK bib was quickly given to Anna Scarlett when they saw Bassett was taking the court.

And why are the rookies in the Diamonds system - Chelsea Pitman, Bassett et al - able to adjust to the demands of the international arena so much faster than our young players, and perform in the final? Perhaps it is the fierce fight just to make the team, in Norma Plummer's notorious selection camps, that readies them for high pressure games.

Tutaia has had her moments over the years - with periods of inconsistency - but she keeps on fronting up, with the hardest job on the court. She is a special talent; her shot is the sweetest in the sport and her ability to turn and slot from distance is crucial and unparalleled. Her mobility, passing and defence has improved and it is easy to forget she is still only 24.

Tutaia says she has done a lot of "self reflection", and "can guarantee" that it won't happen again.

Whatever happens to Tutaia, nothing could compare to the fate of footballer Gordon Smith. The Brighton striker missed a gilt-edged chance in the dying seconds of the 1983 FA Cup final and has never lived it down.

Closer to home, a 20-year-old Jeff Wilson apparently took years to get over having the ball knocked from his grasp by George Gregan in the dying minutes of a 1994 Bledisloe Cup test but Goldie went on to play for another nine years for the All Blacks.