Netball: Ferns missed best shot

Maria Tutaia and the Silver Ferns will have a tough task wrestling the world title from Australia in 2015. Photo / File

Diamonds may not quite be forever but the Australian dominance of the world netball championships will be hard to stop in Sydney in 2015.

There is no intention of compounding current gloom but the admittedly early portents do not look good for the next campaign. While the circumstances of last Sunday's defeat were tough to take, the most galling aspect of the loss was that the 2011 Ferns were our golden generation, the like of which we may not see again for some time.

But like the Brazil football team of 1982, the Kiwis of 1988 and the 1995 All Blacks, they were a side that failed to achieve their pre-ordained destiny. This was a team built for the tournament, not the future. They had a combined 609 caps (average 50 per player) and an average age of 28, with nine players with world championships experience. They had a perfect blend of youth and experience and could count on the incomparable Irene van Dyk. There were also seven of the 2005 world under-21 champions in the squad and the belief and confidence that had been derived from the Delhi result.

Australia, on the other hand, looked shaky. Before the tournament they lost the inspirational Sharelle McMahon to injury as well as Firebirds star Lauren Nourse. Their squad had a combined 339 tests (with Catherine Cox alone accounting for 86) and seven players who had never contested a world championships before.

The Ferns had form, favouritism and the first-half flourish but Australia had the finish.

There is no doubt that New Zealand netball has some exciting prospects on the horizon - Kayla Cullen, Wendy Frew, Charlotte Kight, Cathrine Latu, Camilla Lees are among those that come to mind - but nothing like the quantity of proven international performers the Australians already have. Ten of their young 2011 squad will be around in four years, with only Catherine Cox (35) and Mo'onia Gerrard (30) likely to be out of the picture. Ominously, star performers such as Laura Geitz (23), Caitlin Bassett (23), Chelsea Pitman (23), Julie Corletto (24), Susan Fuhrmann (25) and Natalie Medhurst (27) will be in their prime. Others such as Susan Pratley, Rebecca Bulley, Madison Browne, Amy Steel, Bianca Chatfield, Nourse and Renae Hallinan - who all missed the cut this time - with be contenders again in 2015. Former Jamaican shooter Carla Borrego, the most prolific shooter in the 2010 ANZ Championship, will add real firepower to their attacking arsenal.

Netball Australia recently received a A$260,000 ($332,000) government grant aimed at boosting the sport's profile in the media.

Finally, there is also the uncomfortable notion that as the sport continues to get more physical, the Australian approach to the game will leave them in the ascendancy. Their style in the Singapore final was to push the limits as far as they could and wait for the whistle. As the game got tight the neutral umpires (Dalton Hinds and Gary Burgess) became less inclined to penalise, Burgess appearing to swallow his whistle for long periods of time. The Ferns joked about the Aussies being "human backpacks" but Singapore offered proof; Gerard could have used a saddle as she rode George while Corletto was uncompromising with Tutaia.

Looking ahead to 2015

Casey Williams (Age in 2015: 30)
Should become just the second player (after Lyn Gunson) to captain Zealand at two world championships and should still be at the peak of her powers.

Anna Scarlett (32)
Considering her beach volleyball sabbatical, the combative Scarlett should still have enough left for a third world championships.

Leana de Bruin (38)
Proved age was no barrier this year (named joint ANZ Championship MVP) but won't follow in the footsteps of van Dyk and compete close to her 40th birthday.

Katrina Grant (28)
Didn't enjoy a great tournament but it was still a surprise she wasn't used in the final. She had been seen as best equipped to deal with Australia and their sharp attacking style. Viewed as a future Ferns captain.

Laura Langman (29)
Seems a certainty for Sydney. Her work ethic and fitness should ensure she is as effective as ever, though by 2015 she may be shuffling midcourt positions.

Temepara George (39)
May now be tempted to bow out on home soil against England in September. Could be involved in 2015, maybe playing for Samoa if eligibility rules are loosened.

Liana Leota (30)
Was given every opportunity to regain form and confidence in Singapore but failed to impress. Was vital off the bench in the Delhi win but when George was tiring in last Sunday's final, Ruth Aitken didn't have confidence in Leota. Considering another child in the near future but should be in the frame for Sydney.

Maria Tutaia (28)
Has the potential to be the best player in the world. She should form a powerful partnership with Cathrine Latu but could also play as a goal shoot.

Joline Henry (32)
Unlikely to be around. Has talked of starting a family and is likely to have other priorities by 2015.

Irene van Dyk (43)
Intends to keep playing until "someone takes my spot". That someone should be Latu but could van Dyk be the No 2? Her split, hold and shot remain unparalleled and she might appeal as a late impact substitution. However, the emotional circumstances of last Sunday's loss may yet see van Dyk retire earlier than expected.

Paula Griffin (27)
Showed flashes of inspiration but never looked ready to play the big games. She has a beautiful shot and some hope she will be the next Tutaia but has much to prove.

Anna Thompson (29)
The Cantabrian has the traits to develop into a Belinda Colling-type player. Has improved her conditioning over the past year but yet to fully prove herself against top international sides.