Former Australian Test captain Kimberlee Green has implored the Diamonds to shake up their attack end after a horror start against New Zealand saw the side sink to a decade-long low.
Australia coughed up a whopping 20 goals to the Silver Ferns to start Wednesday night’s Constellation Cup game one – including a run of 11 straight goals.
It’s just the second time in Constellation Cup history Australia has conceded a 20-goal quarter – the last time coming back in September 2012.
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“I think the interesting thing will be whether they bring (Sophie) Dwyer or (Maddy) Proud into the next Test match – (or) if they keep the same 12 and try and ride it out,” Green questioned on Fox Netball.
“For mine, I would try and get Proud out there and see what she can do.
“There’s no time like the present; you’ve lost a game – throw them in there.”
Diamonds eager to win back Cup | 04:53
In a rare feat, the Diamonds converted at less than 80 per cent with goal attacks Kiera Austin (nine goals at 64%) and Steph Wood (11 goals at 69%) struggling under the Ferns defensive pressure.
New Zealand goal keeper Kelly Jury even managed to block three shots on goal which were not included in those shooting statistics.
Wood was benched late in the second term, before being brought back onto the court in an extraordinary double move by Aussie coach Stacey Marinkovich late in the contest.
Marinkovich benched both shooters – Cara Koenen and Austin in the same move, stunning Green and commentator Caitlin Bassett.
“What do you do if everything feels wrong?” Bassett questioned on Fox Netball.
“We talked about how surprising it was to change the two shooting positions at once – it never happens in a game.
“You can’t just pull wholesale changes in a quarter.
“You have to wait for someone who is experienced to stand up and take control and really say, ‘Hey we’ve got to pull this back’ and no one really did that.”
Green said it was up to vice-captain Wood and captain Liz Watson – one of only two players to remain in their starting position for Australia for the match duration – to step up for game two.
“You hope the leadership group, in Wood in particular … she needs to lift in that (goal accuracy) space,” Green said.
“Watson was also really quiet.
“You have to find a way when you’re a leader of the Diamonds, and that’s going to be telling next Test.”
Player of game one, New Zealand goal defence, Phoenix Karaka said she was pleased with the way the Ferns managed the remarkable double shooter swap late in the contest.
“I think there’s a lot of trust in that defensive unit no matter who comes on,” she said post-match.
“I think we work really well as a unit.
“I was able to attack and Kelly (Jury) had my back or Kel was able to attack and I had her back.
“Hopefully (Australia) have four rotating shooters again.
“I think the fact we were able to adapt to the four different shooters was really amazing for us.”
