Commonwealth Games 2022: Five burning questions facing Diamonds ahead of Birmingham

West Coast Fever may have handed Australia’s biggest Commonwealth Games rivals the blueprint to shutting down the Diamonds’ most dangerous player. Five burning questions.

The Super Netball season is over, a historic premiership won by the West Coast Fever.

Attention now turns to the Diamonds and their preparations for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games where they will attempt to reclaim gold after losing a thrilling final to England four years ago.

What can the Super Netball season tell us about that campaign and the big issues facing the Diamonds in just over three weeks’ time.

1. Has the Fever provided the world with a blueprint on how to shut down Liz Watson?

Wing defence players are an underrated lot but Jess Anstiss is the toast of the west after shutting down Watson, rated the world’s best wing attack in both the Super Netball semi and grand final.

Out for a large chunk of the season with a foot injury, Anstiss returned just ahead of the finals and played a key role in the Fever winning a maiden premiership.

Watson was below her best in the finals series, turning the ball over 18 times in three matches — including 14 times in the two clashes against the Fever.

Jess Anstiss was able to limit the impact Liz Watson had in both the semi-final and grand final encounters. Picture: Getty Images

Much of this could be attributed to the enormous pressure Anstiss was able to exert on her, never leaving Watson alone in an outstanding tagging job.

It’s unlikely players would get away with such pressure on the body in the international arena but what’s the bet Australia’s rivals were taking close note.

2. Will the Diamonds split along club lines in camp?

Not a chance. Sure, there’s a rivalry between all clubs, and the four Vixens heading into camp will do so still smarting from their grand final loss. But as soon as the players arrive in Perth again next Monday, they’re all aiming for the same thing — a gold medal in Birmingham.

As much as the Fever and Vixens have built a great rivalry over the past few years — as have any number of Super Netball clubs striving to win a premiership in the world’s best competition — the players get along well behind the scenes and even at last weekend’s pre-grand final media opportunity, struggled to find a negative about each other.

Forget club loyalties, these players are all pulling in one direction.

3. Can the Vixens’ midcourt pairing of Liz Watson and Kate Moloney fire for the Diamonds?

The Watson-Moloney combination failed to fire for the Vixens throughout the Super Netball finals series, with the pair struggling to get to the top of the circle easily to get clean ball to their shooters.

Part of that — in the preliminary final at least — can be attributed to the absence of goal attack Kiera Austin, whose work in front of the circle, providing centre pass and second-phase receives and strong leads, was dearly missed.

Vixens players Kate Moloney and Liz Watson will pair up again in the Diamonds team. Pictures: Tony Gough

Moloney is unlikely to be a starter in the Diamonds’ main games, with Swifts midcourter Paige Hadley set to take that role after a stellar Quad Series campaign.

But neither Watson nor Moloney were poor for the Vixens and if they get to stand alongside each other in the gold dress, back their combination to pay off for Australia.

4. Can the Fowler-Sterling show cause a massive upset?

Australia head into the Games ranked No. 1 in the world and are most likely to face the second-ranked New Zealand or England (3) in the battle for gold.

But before they get to the crossovers, the Diamonds face a tough battle against Jamaica in their final pool match.

Jhaniele Fowler enjoyed success with Fever this season. Can she enjoy success over the Diamonds when they take on Jamaica? Picture: Getty Images

While the Sunshine Girls don’t present a massive challenge on paper, any team containing world-leading goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler and outstanding keeper Shamera Sterling is going to pose a threat.

Fowler scored 58 goals for the Fever in their grand final win on Sunday night, while Sterling topped News Corp’s player of the year vote after the regular season.

Shamera Sterling will pose problems for the Aussie shooters. Picture: Getty Images

The key will be whether their midcourters can capitalise on the gains the defenders will win and get clean ball into their circle.

Six of the 12 players named in Jamaica’s final Commonwealth Games team — including all four defenders — play for Super Netball clubs and meeting the Diamonds will pose no fear.

5. Can England repeat their 2018 title win on home soil?

There’s no doubt England have the team — and the belief — to defend their 2018 gold medal on home soil in Birmingham.

Despite being without former captain Serena Guthrie, who is pregnant with her first child, the Roses have named a deep squad, including five members who played for Super Netball clubs in 2022.

Another two, including captain Natalie Metcalf, have played in Australia previously.

Players including vice-captain and Giants shooter Jo Harten and NSW Swifts goaler Helen Housby, who broke Aussie hearts in 2018, believe they have the talent to repeat.

England celebrate after winning netball gold against Australia at the Gold Coast in 2018. Picture: Getty Images

The English Super Netball players head into the Games in good form, with Harten almost single-handedly driving the Giants into the preliminary final, while Housby’s Swifts almost won an upset finals spot.

Geva Mentor rebounded after a slow start to hit top form with the Magpies in their semi-final campaign, Stacey Francis-Bayman helped the Fever to a maiden premiership and Eboni Usoro-Brown was unlucky to miss the finals with the Firebirds.

Australia won’t be ambushed by the Roses though, knowing the challenge they face against the world no. 3 on their home court.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games 2022: Five burning questions facing Diamonds ahead of Birmingham