Who will Diamonds coach pick Constellation Cup squad with eye to the future?
How will the Diamonds replace Steph Wood and Ash Brazil? See the top contenders fighting for selection in the Constellation Cup.
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The Diamonds squads series against New Zealand and South Africa next month are likely to have a different look as coach Stacey Marinkovich starts the new World Cup cycle determined to continue the dominance that has handed her side every major trophy in the sport.
The retirement of Ash Brazill following the World Cup, coupled with Diamonds vice-captain Steph Wood’s decision to step down from internationals will force at least some changes.
But with the group that lifted the trophy in Cape Town having an average age of 28 – just one player was under 25 – there will be turnover in the next four-year cycle heading into the 2027 World Cup in Sydney.
Even before that there will be change, though.
Having not played New Zealand at either last year’s Commonwealth Games or the World Cup, plenty will be read into next month’s four-Test Constellation Cup series, especially with the Silver Ferns on Monday naming a squad including star shooter Grace Nweke subject to a medical clearance after she suffered a knee injury in South Africa.
The Diamonds World Cup travelling reserves will get a good run, while the remainder of the 2023-24 squad, named earlier this year will also be all but certain to feature in at least some of the seven Tests.
But with Brazill and Wood out, could there be new names on the horizon.
We outline the main contenders outside the 12 players that lifted the World Cup last month.
Experienced hands
Kate Moloney
Arguably the unluckiest player not to hit the floor in Cape Town. Any other side in the world would have given their eye teeth for a player the calibre of Moloney but selectors were always going to have to make an agonising choice between the Vixens captain and Jamie-Lee Price – the Commonwealth Games reserve – for the World Cup and Price won the chocolates for the World Cup, playing a pivotal role in the Diamonds’ success.
Donnell Wallam
Another decision that came down to the wire for selectors after Wallam’s standout Super Netball campaign. She was eventually named as a reserve for the World Cup, with Sophie Garbin winning the final goal shooter spot and starring in the final. Wallam will undoubtedly add to her two international caps this spring though, giving Marinkovich plenty of options in the circle.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran
The defensive reserve in Cape Town, Bakewell-Doran is likely to get her chance to shine this spring, a year after she made her debut against the Silver Ferns. While Moloney (30) is a seasoned performer and Wallam (29) a late bloomer, at 24, Bakewell-Doran is part of the new wave that will help lead the Diamonds towards Sydney.
Extended squad members
Matilda Garrett
Garrett was such a bolter when the Diamonds squad was announced earlier this year, she missed six calls from national coach Stacey Marinkovich on the day of the announcement, totally unaware she was in the selection frame. While she missed World Cup selection, the 25-year-old’s form throughout the Thunderbirds’ premiership season and ability to play all three defensive positions is held in high regard and she’s all but certain to be blooded this spring.
Amy Parmenter
Parmenter seems the natural choice to take over from Brazill, with the veteran herself surprised she was able to hold the young gun out to secure World Cup selection – and excited at what the future holds for the 26-year-old midcourter. After a baptism of fire on debut last year in New Zealand, Parmenter settled almost seamlessly into the gold dress to look completely at home in the series against England.
Sophie Dwyer
The international retirement of Wood would seem the perfect opportunity for Dwyer to step in after two years in the Diamonds squad. While she made her debut last year, Dwyer had already been a Diamond-in-waiting for a year after being selected in the 2022 Quad Series squad while still a teen. Will be a Diamond for years to come.
Maddy Proud
A decade after she was first named in the Diamonds squad, Proud finally made her international debut last year but had her series against England cut short after suffering a concussion. Marinkovich has an embarrassment of riches in the midcourt, with Proud among a generation of outstanding players battling for the chance to pull on the gold dress.
Newbies
Tippah Dwan
While Dwyer is most likely to immediately step into the void left by Wood, don’t be surprised to see a player like Dwan added to the squad. The 23-year-old is regarded highly by Marinkovich, who included her as a training partner at her first campaign in charge of the Diamonds – the 2021 Constellation Cup. After a strong showing with the Thunderbirds during their premiership campaign and Sasha Glasgow declaring her allegiance to England, Dwan could be in the frame again for the South Africa series.
Georgie Horjus
Just 21, Horjus is seen as the future of the Australian midcourt. A versatile player able to swing into goal attack and play a key role as a shooter as well as direct the offence at wing attack, Horjus continues to go from strength to strength and is among the most highly regarded young players in the country.
Olivia Lewis
At “just” 184cm, Lewis is far from the tallest defender going around but the 24-year-old has incredible hops and her aerial ability makes her one of the most exciting young defenders in the country.
Defence is one of the areas in which Australia has some youth – Sunday Aryang was the youngest player in the World Cup team at 22, while reserve Bakewell-Doran is just 24 and extended squad member Garrett 25.
But Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston will be 33 by the time the next World Cup rolls around and Sarah Klau 32 and while she’ll also be on the lookout for a tall, Marinkovich could do worse than give Lewis a run.
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