Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich has opened up on the shock promotion of defender Tara Hinchliffe, with other squad defenders given “work to do” leading into a World Cup year.
Hinchliffe was named as the Quad Series replacement for injured star Jo Weston – despite not being part of the Diamonds squad to begin with.
The likes of squad defenders Maddy Turner and Ruby Bakewell-Doran were overlooked, after representing Australia in recent international series late last year.
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But Marinkovich was unfazed by criticism of her selections and opened up on leaving Turner and Bakewell-Doran in Australia.
“Talking with players is never easy when you’re saying that they’re not selected to go on a particular tour,” she explained on Fox Netball.
“Ruby came into camp just recently and so has continued to gain some of that experience … Maddy was obviously in the last series.
“We’ve had really open conversations as to what we need to see from them but also what we can continue to do to develop their games.
“They’ve got real clarity as to what they’re working on.
“This is one part of the build to World Cup. It’s not finalized yet.”
Marinkovich said Hinchliffe was selected for her versatility in the back end.
Weston ruled out with calf injury | 00:29
“I think it’s a credit to our pathway – we need to understand what depth we’ve got in our goal keeper position and what we can swing across to that goal defender,” she said.
“It keeps challenging the positions.”
Currently the goal keeper role is shared between West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce and NSW Swifts championship winner Sarah Klau.
Netball great Cath Cox spoke about Marinkovich’s revolving player policy, which included blooding three debutants in the one game late last year, and felt Hinchliffe was now under pressure to perform.
“She wasn’t even in the squad so they’ve elevated her into the squad and now put her in the team,” she said on RSN Radio.
“It means there’s been a couple of actual squad members miss out on selection. Obviously Stacey Marinkovich wants to put as many players on court to see what they can do before she makes that final selection.
“She’s really rung in the changes in the last probably six months.
“There were a couple of internationals that saw plenty of players get capped. Australia don’t tend to do that – you don’t get a cap unless you really deserve it – yes these players do but I mean me for instance, I sat on the bench for three years before I got an opportunity with the Australian side.
“She’s really putting as many on the court now and blooding them and seeing what they’re capable of.
“(Hinchliffe) actually had a standout Fast5 series in New Zealand last year. I think that’s part and parcel of her elevation so quickly.
“Now’s her opportunity – there’s a bit of pressure on her. If she wants to put her hand up, she’s got to do it in the next couple of days.”
Australia take out Fast Five series | 00:49
Ex-Diamond skipper Kimberlee Green agreed Hinchliffe’s selection came as a surprise.
“She must have just really put her hand up,” she said on Fox Netball.
“Fast5 is not the same as a normal game of netball.
“I’ll be really interested to see how she goes out there and if they actually put her out there. In the last series we saw the Aussies play, (Maddy) Turner didn’t really get on the court.
“Will (Hinchliffe) get an opportunity to put her hand up and try and get there for World Cup? Who knows!”
The Quad Series begins in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the Diamonds taking on England first up from 3am AEDT.
Dimonds great for playing through drama | 01:00
QUAD SERIES FIXTURES (AEDT)
January 22
1am – Spar Proteas vs Silver Ferns
3am – Australia vs Vitality Roses
January 23
1am – Spar Proteas vs Vitality Roses
3am – Australia vs Silver Ferns
January 25
1am – Vitality Roses vs Silver Ferns
3am – Spar Proteas vs Australia
January 26
1am – 3rd & 4th Play offs
3am -Final
