Calls for Diamonds to ‘back in’ Donnell Wallam for Netball World Cup amid goal shooter dilemma

There are growing calls for Australia to “back in” Donnell Wallam for the Netball World Cup as a selection headache emerges.

There are growing calls for Australia to take Donnell Wallam to this year’s Netball World Cup as selectors face a growing headache over the goal shooter position.

The Diamonds will go in as favourites to win July’s World Cup in South Africa as they aim to complete their set of trophies by taking the title back off New Zealand.

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Coach Stacey Marinkovich named a 19-player squad last week for the 2023-2024 international season, which will be trimmed to a final squad of 12, plus three reserves for the World Cup.

The squad includes six shooters but only four will make the final cut.

Sunshine Coast Lightning teammates Cara Koenen and Steph Wood are locks, while Kiera Austin is expected to be picked as a goal attack.

That leaves one goal shooter position up for grabs, with selectors likely to choose between Wallam and Sophie Garbin.

Garbin has shown she can compete at international level, turning the Constellation Cup back in Australia’s favour and playing well in January’s Quad Series win.

Donnell Wallam is pressing her case for World Cup selection. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Sophie Garbin has been out of sorts at Collingwood. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Wallam has played just two games for Australia so far, including a fairytale debut against England that saw her shoot the matchwinning buzzer beater.

The 29-year-old is in just her second season with the Queensland Firebirds but has been rock solid in the absence of Gretel Bueta, who is pregnant and will miss the World Cup.

On the other hand, Garbin has been out of sorts playing at goal attack for Collingwood, shooting just six goals in her last two Super Netball matches for Collingwood.

Garbin moved from the Swifts to the Magpies in search of more game time but she has struggled at goal attack while Shimona Nelson plays goal shooter.

Wallam has to be the fourth, period. #THUvMAG

— Erin Delahunty (@della79) April 30, 2023

I get she plays a different position for the Diamonds & has performed well at that level before, but the fact there’s still a really good chance Garbin will be going to the WC after the season she’s having is…😬 #THUvMAG

— Izzy (@izzynetball) April 30, 2023

Marinkovich insists she doesn’t read too much into domestic form but the contrast between Wallam and Garbin’s current form is getting hard to ignore.

Former Diamonds shooter Caitlin Thwaites told news.com.au she believes Koenen will get first crack at goal shooter but Wallam should be in Australia’s final squad for the World Cup.

“I feel Koenen is probably the one that’s stepping up there and obviously having a really great partnership with Steph Wood, they click together,” Thwaites said.

“I think potentially the other position based on current form, I would probably have to back in Donnell Wallam. She’s found her feet this season and is really stepping up with what she’s bringing out on court.

Calls are growing for Donnell Wallam to be picked for this year’s Netball World Cup. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Netball Australia)

“Sophie Garbin, we’ve seen in international colours she’s been able to stand up across the last international season. But going off recent form — and it’s probably to no fault of Sophie’s — but we haven’t been able to see her in that goal shooter position.

“I would probably be heading towards Donnell Wallam because of those things. I think she brings a different element too. She’s more of a post-up shooter style and brings a different element, whereas Sophie Garbin and Koenen can both play that moving shooter role.

“I think Wallam would be a good inclusion for the Diamonds.”

Matilda Garrett was included in the Diamonds’ squad in recognition of her strong form for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

After the Super Netball season, the Diamonds will assemble for a training camp before travelling to Cape Town for the Netball World Cup.

2023-24 Australian Diamonds Squad

Sunday Aryang, Kiera Austin, Ruby Bakwell-Doran, Ash Brazill, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Maddy Proud, Donnell Wallam, Liz Watson, Steph Wood