Australian Diamonds v England Roses: We rate the series best players
The Diamonds had to dig deep to win their three-Test series against England and prevent the Roses from taking their first overall win on Aussie soil. We rate the top 20 series players.
Diamonds
Don't miss out on the headlines from Diamonds. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Diamonds had to dig deep to win their three-Test series against England and prevent the Roses from taking their first overall win on Aussie soil after the visitors’ shock win in the second Test.
So who shone and who flopped in the rematch between last year’s World Cup finalists - and is England emerging as Australia’s biggest competitor ahead of a Sydney World Cup in 2027?
We rate the top 20 players in the series.
1. Kiera Austin
Diamonds - goal attack
Deserved winner of series MVP honours after taking her Diamonds game to a new level. With 32 caps now to her name, Austin is playing like a seasoned veteran, with her shooting and playmaking ability in the big moments always reliable. But it’s the defensive area of her game - something that has always been strong - that has moved to a new level this series. Her eight gains put her second only to goalkeeper Sarah Klau among the Aussies, while only Funmi Fadoju had more in the series, while she also had six pick-ups, also among the top returns for the series. Seems to float effortlessly around the court, getting herself in the position to make the big plays in both attack and defence - but the numbers show she’s like a duck on the water, seemingly cruising but with 67 goals, 63 goal assists, 76 feeds and 29 second phase receives, her statline shows the enormous amount of work she did over the three games.
2. Sarah Klau
Diamonds - goalkeeper
Took on a leadership role for the Diamonds in defence and shone, finishing with MVP honours in a game one effort that left the Roses shooters at sixes and sevens. Finished with the most gains for the Aussies and the second-most in the series overall and was almost flawless with the ball, racking up just one turnover in the entire series. The biggest upside for the Diamonds though was the partnership she established with Sunday Aryang, giving coach Stacey Marinkovich another solid gold defensive combination she knows can stand up to some of the world’s best shooters. While there’s a crop of outstanding young defenders coming through, Klau is showing she will be one of the most important players for the Diamonds heading into the next World Cup.
3. Helen Housby
Roses - goal attack/goal shooter
Housby again showed how reliable she is at this level, earning stripes as the most consistent England performer across the series despite always being the woman the Diamonds were attempting to shut down. Finished with 70 goals at an incredible 92 per cent but also had to do a mountain of work outside the circle, especially in games one and three as the Roses struggled at times to get quick, clean ball into the circle. Played all but seven minutes of the series and her leadership with young players Liv Tchine and Lois Pearson shone through as she established ties that will only strengthen in the lead-up to Sydney 2027.
4. Liz Watson
Diamonds - wing attack
The Aussie captain played every minute of the series, taking on the bulk of the playmaking duties for the Aussies in a typically relentless performance. Watson was one of the players targeted by the Roses in game two particularly, as they attempted to slow the tempo of the Diamonds play and while she committed a few more turnovers than she would have liked (11 for the series), her ability to maintain an elite level throughout matches and over a series, showed. May not have had the highs of some other players but her consistency and the ability to make those around her better is peerless.
5. Funmi Fadoju
Roses - goal attack
Came into the series with 27 caps, so certainly was no novice. But this was a breakout series for Fadoju, the game two MVP, who managed better than almost any other England player to maintain a high level across the series and avoid the troughs that came with some others after their peaks. Was not even a starter in the opening game, coming off the bench after Razia Quashie started at goalkeeper but helped spur an ultimately futile Roses comeback in the opener before an outstanding eight gain, 12 deflection, two intercept showing in game two that put the Diamonds goalers under immense pressure. Fadoju’s ability in the air has long been known but this series she showcased her intelligence and positioning as well. A star of the now, not just the future.
6. Sophie Garbin
Diamonds - goalshooter
Finished with a series-high 113 goals at 94 per cent despite sitting out the opening half of game two as coach Marinkovich injected Cara Koenen into the match. But with Fadoju firing and the Diamonds finding it tough to get clean ball into the circle, they rejected the moving circle and went back to Garbin’s holding ability in a bid to get the job done. Has emerged as clearly the no.1 option at goal shooter, although finished the series with the most turnovers (12) and missed the odd gimmie in the circle before picking up her own rebounds in a slightly fatigued game three showing.
7. Fran Williams
England - goalkeeper, goal defence
Roses captain was quiet achiever throughout the series, although she never quite managed a massive peak, she was one of England’s most consistent performers, especially in the opening two games of the series. Had four gains and 10 deflections - although just one of them for a gain - over the three matches but those numbers don’t show just how hard she was working in more than 170 minutes on court over the past week, something probably best highlighted by a series-high eight pick-ups. Growing connection with Fadoju will be crucial heading into pinnacle events over the next few years, while her Super Netball stint is already paying dividends.
8. Sunday Aryang
Diamonds - goal defence
Breakout series for the defender, who has plenty of experience, including in the Diamonds’ Commonwealth Games and World Cup wins but has rarely worn such responsibility as a starter. Her growing partnership with Sarah Klau will benefit the Diamonds, while at just 23, the leadership role she’s played this series will benefit both her and the Aussies in the long-term.
9. Liv Tchine
England - goal shooter
One of the breakout stars for England this series after the experienced Eleanor Cardwell was medically ruled out of the series after playing just 15 minutes in her opening match. While swing playmaker Lois Pearson was slotted into goal attack after that, the Roses turned to Tchine in the second half, where her 20-from-20 secured her the GS bib for the remainder of the series. Finished with 91 goals at an incredible 97 per cent and weathered the storm from an Aussie defensive unit that focused ferociously on her in the opening stages of the final match after their game two loss.
10. Jamie-Lee Price
Diamonds - wing defence
Price was rested by the Aussie coaching staff for game two but such was her impact, she makes the top 10 in the series rankings on two games alone. The Diamonds missed her physical presence in the second game, where they were muscled out of the match as the Roses turned up the pressure. Price brings that in both attack and defence and while she received a warning in the final game, for retaliation, she’s not a dirty player, rather a relentless on-the-body competitor, who refuses to give and inch and is able to wear her opponents down while winning crucial turnover ball for her team. Her efforts on rookie Lois Pearson in the early stages of game three alone helped hand the Diamonds the series.
11. Lois Pearson
England - wing attack/goal attack
Pearson is likely to be ambivalent about her game three showing after she was substituted just before halftime as the Roses struggled to advance the ball quickly down court. But she sits just outside the top 10, ahead of many of her more experienced teammates after a stellar debut series against the world no.1. Game two effort led to England’s win and showed her to be a star of the future.
12. Paige Hadley
Diamonds - centre
Like Price, Hadley was used sparingly in the second game, although she did hit the court, even if it was for just a few minutes in the final quarter as Marinkovich gave Amy Parmenter and Kate Moloney time. But things were humming again in game three when the vice-captain renewed ties with Watson and Price in a Diamonds midcourt combination few teams in world netball can slow down.
13. Imogen Allison
England - centre/wing defence
Probably best at wing defence, Allison was left to do much of the ball distribution after Nat Metcalf was ruled out on the eve of the series. She handled that role well, if not spectacularly and showed the physical defence that Queensland Firebirds fans will come to love as she tackled one of the toughest jobs in world netball - attempting to shut down Liz Watson.
14. Beth Cobden
England - wing defence
Had one of the toughest jobs of all in starting on Watson and attempting to keep the Aussie captain under wraps. Cobden returned to the Roses program after a year away and her leadership and experience showed, despite her not playing a full game as the Roses struggled to lock down Watson.
15. Kate Moloney
Diamonds - centre/wing defence
Moloney hit the court in all three games of the series, although only saw major time in game two, when she played out the full match. Reliable service at centre, where her incredible fitness shines. It’s not just on-court skill Moloney brings to the team though, she’s another experienced senior voice and outstanding lead the Diamonds will lean on in the lead-up to the next benchmark series.
16. Matilda Garrett
Diamonds - goal defence/goalkeeper
Saw strong minutes in the opening two matches before sitting out the entire decider as the Diamonds put the foot to the floor in the deciding match. Continues to develop at this level and with her genuine ability to play across all three positions, will be a key part of Marinkovich’s plans over the next few years.
17. Amy Carter
England - centre/wing defence
Another of the England players to benefit from the experience she gained this series, Manchester Thunder midcourter Carter, who actually made her debut against Australia four years ago before being a reserve for the World Cup last year has showed coach Jess Thirlby she can stand up and be counted against the world no.1
18. Cara Koenen
Diamonds - goal shooter
Played just half a game in this series, underlining the fact she’s likely the no.2 GS now behind Garbin, especially given the latter’s move to the Vixens and Super Netball combination with Austin. Had the yips early on in game two but finished with 16-of-19 shooting after a flawless second quarter and was probably unlucky to be replaced. Will see more time in the series against the Silver Ferns.
19. Razia Quashie
England - goalkeeper
Won a defensive starting spot in game one ahead of Fadoju but the latter’s performance in the second half of that match, followed by her MVP showing in the second test meant that she was not seen again until game three. Struggled to contain Garbin, who can now be counted as one of the top holding shooters in world netball.
20. Amy Parmenter
Diamonds - wing defence
Only hit the court for half a game in Test two and replaced after struggling to contain Pearson, one of England’s best in their win. Unfortunate for Parmenter, who has not been included in the Constellation Cup squad and won’t see more time this international window. Still a crucial piece of the squad moving forward though but behind a few middies in the pecking order.
More Coverage
Originally published as Australian Diamonds v England Roses: We rate the series best players
Austin powers Diamonds to big series win over Roses
A commanding performance from goal attack Kiera Austin has helped power Australia to a series win against the Roses with a 69-56 victory in Bendigo on Wednesday night.
Bolter’s stellar season continues with Diamonds Con Cup call up
The Diamonds will welcome back some familiar names, while a new player continues a sparkling run with selection in the squad for the Constellation Cup series in Australia and New Zealand.