Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich has only tinkered at the edges in tonight naming a squad of 19 for the Netball World Cup, with Adelaide Thunderbird defender Matilda Garrett the one surprise inclusion.
Despite suggestions from some there could be shock inclusions, Marinkovich and selectors Anne Sargeant and Michelle Wilkins went with what they know in selecting the squad, which will be cut to 12, plus three emergencies, closer to the tournament, which begins in Cape Town on July 28.
Marinkovich named every player who won gold at the Commonwealth Games last year – except shooter Gretel Bueta, who is pregnant – seven others already in her wider squad, and bolter Garrett, who has had a superb start to the 2023 Super Netball season.
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As exclusively revealed on Fox Netball’s Centre Circle, Marinkovich dropped NSW Swift defender Maddy Turner to make room for 24-year-old Garrett, who can play goal defence and goal keeper.
She didn’t name Sunshine Coast Lightning defender Tara Hinchliffe, who did her ACL in February after debuting for the Diamonds in the January Quad Series in South Africa.
“Selection is incredibly difficult, but this squad has performed strongly, including success at last year’s Commonwealth Games,” Marinkovich said.
“Over the past two years we have seen growth in performance, both within the program and when competing against other nations.
“Matilda Garrett comes into the squad after demonstrating growth in areas that support Australia’s defensive style of play. Matilda is a tight one-on-one defender who maintains intensity and we look forward to seeing her develop in the Diamonds squad.
“We will continue to closely review performance across the Suncorp Super Netball season, with the opportunity to bring athletes into the squad over the next 12 months.”
In the Australian defence end, Victorian-born Garrett joins Commonwealth gold medallists Courtney Bruce, Jo Weston, Sarah Klau and Sunday Aryang, as well as Ruby Bakewell-Doran, who continues to star, despite playing for the Queensland Firebirds, a side sitting on just one win.
The goaling end consists of the Birmingham trio of Steph Wood, Cara Koenen and Kiera Austin, plus Sophie Garbin, Donnell Wallam and Sophie Dwyer. Who takes the spot vacated by pregnant Bueta is probably the biggest question mark hanging over the group.
Marinkovich hedged her bets in the midcourt, undoubtedly the most competitive area of the court, naming seven players, instead of six as she did in defence and goals. They’re Commonwealth quartet Liz Watson, Paige Hadley, Ash Brazill and Kate Moloney, as well as Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price and Maddy Proud.
Marinkovich is expected to take four shooters, four defenders and four midcourters, plus three replacement emergencies, so has to cut four from her current list.
DIAMONDS 19-PLAYER SQUAD
ATTACKERS
KIERA AUSTIN GA/GS/WA
SOPHIE DWYER GA/GS
SOPHIE GARBIN GS/GA
CARA KOENEN GS/GA
DONNELL WALLAM GS
STEPH WOOD GA/GS
MIDCOURT
ASH BRAZILL WD/C
PAIGE HADLEY WA/C
KATE MOLONEY C/WD
AMY PARMENTER WD/C
JAMIE-LEE PRICE WD/C
MADDY PROUD WA/C
LIZ WATSON C/WA
DEFENDERS
SUNDAY ARYANG GD/WD
RUBY BAKEWELL-DORAN GD/WD
COURTNEY BRUCE GK/GD
MATILDA GARRETT GD/GK
SARAH KLAU GK/GD
JO WESTON GD/WD/GK
