How shooter Lucy Austin gained invitation to Diamonds camp after just two Super Netball games this season

She’s only managed 25 minutes of Super Netball action this season, yet Thunderbirds goaler Lucy Austin remains firmly in the Diamonds’ future plans. Plus, the prelim final preview and more in Net Gains.

She hit the Super Netball court just twice this season for a grand total of 25 minutes but Lucy Austin was always a key part of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s Diamonds plans.

A 190cm powerful holding shooter, Austin was named as a training camp invitee last season despite spending just 155 minutes on court over 14 games in the Thunderbirds’ premiership campaign at an average of just under 10 minutes per match.

But there was surprise in some circles when the 23-year-old’s name was among invitees again last week when the Diamonds squad was announced.

After hitting the court just twice at SSN level this year, playing just 25 minutes across round 1 and round 3, Austin spent much of the year playing Super Netball reserves as Jamaican veteran Romelda Aiken-George dominated for the T-Birds.

Lucy Austin is a key part of the Diamonds plans. Picture: Getty Images

Marinkovich though has been keeping a keen eye on the goaler, who has been working hard in the Thunderbirds training environment on and off the court after impressing in January’s Diamonds camp.

“Lucy had an incredible camp in January and showed that the way in which she plays the game really suits the style and the strategy of how we want to add to our squad and while she hasn’t played in the SSN (since round 3), she certainly has been working behind the scenes,” Marinkovich said.

“She’s been in our reserves competition and we’ve been working with her in the club environment.

“She’s a young player. So we want to keep that development and we want to make sure that we are actively increasing our depth.”

Counting Austin’s Adelaide clubmate Georgie Horjus as a shooter, the Diamonds have named just five goalers in their 18-woman 2025-26 squad, with Austin and Donnell Wallam training invitees.

“I think it’s a good story with Donell that she’s gone over to a different league, she has had an injury-hampered season but we can still see really strong performances that have come out with her involvement in the ANZ competition (in New Zealand), so really keen to see what those skill sets now look like within the Diamonds environment,” Marinkovich said.

“And being that invitee position, we’re continuing to explore but also committing to developing her game and continuing to evolve that connection with other players.

“In the event of injury we can have players replaced with an invitee straight up.

“So we’ve got the protection by going with only five shooters but also I think it’s a great opportunity for Nelly to be still involved in the environment and really competing hard.”

MARATHON MIDDIE

Who is Super Netball’s marathon woman?

Across the 14 home-and-away rounds, only one star played every single minute of the regular season – Diamonds’ captain Liz Watson.

Watson played all 840 minutes for the Sunshine Coast Lightning, three minutes more than Adelaide Thunderbirds’ defensive ace Latanya Wilson.

Liz Watson has played every minute of the regular season. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

After battling some injuries during the 2024 campaign, Vixens defender Jo Weston was third on the list for most minutes played alongside Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran.

In fact, the Vixens had two players in the top five for most minutes played during the regular season with Weston’s captain Kate Moloney coming in fifth on the list.

PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW

SUNDAY

NSW Swifts v Melbourne Vixens

Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, 2pm

Few people would have had this one on their bingo card for the preliminary final after both clubs’ start to the season. The Swifts’ eight-match winning run had many wanting to hand them the trophy early in the year, while the Vixens were written off after a wobbly start. For both sides, their season comes down to this match, with a grand final against the Fever beckoning for the winner.

The Swifts need to write their last game off completely. It might be worth revisiting if they face the Fever again but for now, their insipid semi-final showing needs to be forgotten, with a focus fully on the Vixens match. The injection of captain Paige Hadley will be a welcome relief for a midcourt that has failed to fire in her absence, with both her workaholic on-court efforts and her leadership needed if the Swifts are to overcome a Fever side that has rediscovered its mojo and is playing with enormous passion.

Grace Nweke’s struggles against relentless, suffocating defence over the past fortnight have caught the attention of opposition teams and she can expect more of the same from the Vixens defenders on Sunday, with Rudi Ellis and Jo Weston not giving her an inch. Coach Briony Akle though will have confidence her Kiwi star can win the one-on-one contest and needs Helen Housby to punish the Vixens by scoring regularly if they think about double marking Nweke.

At the other end of the court, the Vixens are ticking along nicely, with Kiera Austin back in vintage form and working well with Sophie Garbin and in the goal circle, while Zara Walters has stepped up in the absence of the injured Hannah Mundy to help the flow of ball into the shooters.

The battle between the two powerhouse clubs is likely to come down to moments within the match. The Swifts have bungled many in the back half of the season, while the Vixens have nailed the pressure points to work their way into the finals. Expect the Swifts to improve in front of a pumping Ken Rosewall Arena crowd but whether they can overcome their wobbles against a Vixens side that knows how to fire at this time of the year is another question.

Originally published as How shooter Lucy Austin gained invitation to Diamonds camp after just two Super Netball games this season