The 12 rising stars an ageing Diamonds side must consider if Australia is to defend the World Cup

If the Diamonds are to defend their World Cup triumph in Sydney, selectors must look to youth to regenerate an ageing side. Here are the 12 players they must consider immediately.

Australia will need to usher in a new generation if they are to defend their World Cup crown. Picture: AFP

These are the 12 players Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich and her selectors must consider if Australia is to defend the World Cup on home soil in 2027.

The Diamonds are expected to name their 2025 squad next week ahead of October internationals against South Africa and New Zealand.

And as much as Marinkovich will be seeking success against both opponents, she’ll also have a long-range focus, looking ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games and the 2027 World Cup, which Australia will defend on home soil in Sydney.

The Diamonds group that lifted the World Cup in Cape Town in 2023 had an average age of 28, with just one player – defender Sunday Aryang – aged under 25.

Australia will need to usher in a new generation if they are to defend their World Cup crown. Picture: AFP

The retirement of Ash Brazill and Diamonds vice-captain Steph Wood following that benchmark tournament forced some change, but the squad that played series against England and New Zealand last year, losing the Constellation Cup for the first time since 2021, had seven players now aged 30 or older.

All are understood to be keen to play on until the next World Cup but would be aged between 33 and 35 by then. Add in Gretel Bueta, who just celebrated her 32nd birthday and could return for the benchmark tournament, and there have to be questions raised about the age of the group.

Age alone is certainly no barrier. The return of former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua to Super Netball recently showed game smarts and fitness are a recipe for success.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich might have to have some tough conversations with senior stars. Picture: Getty

But tournament netball is a relentless grind at times and Marinkovich would be aware of the risk she would be taking if almost two-thirds of her squad was over 33.

Code Sports has run the rule over the next generation of stars and named 12 players – 11 of them 24 or younger – who need to be under the careful watch of selectors.

Given her debut last year, we haven’t included Thunderbirds swing playmaker Georgie Horjus, who at just 22, is a lock to be included in the Diamonds squad and faces a long future in the gold dress.

We have included midcourter Hannah Mundy and defender Ash Ervin – named in the squad last season but yet to debut – and 26-year-old Swift Teigan O’Shannassy, whose rise has been held back by injuries.

It’s a group that would have other nations green with envy and one that could challenge the current Diamonds on any given day.

Originally published as The 12 rising stars an ageing Diamonds side must consider if Australia is to defend the World Cup