‘It’s huge’: Sophie Garbin impresses for Australia, sign World Cup could be ‘in the bag’

Australia’s most contentious selection for the Netball World Cup has silenced the doubters, with Diamonds legends singing her praises.

Australia have made a perfect start to the Netball World Cup, winning all three of their of their group stage matches in dominant fashion.

The Diamonds kicked off their campaign in South Africa with comfortable victories over Zimbabwe, Tonga and Fiji to finish on top of Pool A.

The Aussies brought up the century against Fiji, securing a 101-32 victory on Sunday.

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Coach Stacey Marinkovich tinkered with the starting line-up in all three games as she keeps her cards close to her chest before settling on a first choice seven for the knockout stages.

Sophie Garbin was Australia’s most controversial selection after she was picked in the squad ahead of Donnell Wallam despite struggling for Collingwood in Super Netball.

Garbin has repaid the faith so far in Cape Town, providing a strong presence under the post and shooting very accurately.

She finished with 54 goals from 60 attempts from three quarters against Fiji, sharing the load at goal shooter with Cara Koenen, who shot a perfect 37/37.

Legendary Diamonds shooters Cath Cox and Caitlin Bassett said Garbin’s performance was exactly what Marinkovich and Australian fans wanted to see.

“It’s huge. There’s a big difference between starting a game and coming on as an impact player,” Bassett said on Fox Netball’s World Cup coverage.

Sophie Garbin is in fine form at the World Cup. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023)

“Giving Sophie Garbin the option to put on a good bank of goals is really important for her confidence going forward. She’s just so accurate under the post.

“Garbin with 54/60 stood up and really showed how dominant and dangerous she can be with ball in hand.

“Cara Koenen as well — 100 per cent shooting — you’d be pretty happy with those stats.

“Selecting that goal shooting circle is going to be super hard to do. Having more options and combinations other teams are going to be wary of is a good thing.”

Cox said Garbin showed fantastic ability to catch any ball her teammates threw at a her.

“It’s just about her confidence, it’s about the confidence she brings to that midcourt,” Cox said.

“Every single ball into Garbin is straight off the hand. The confidence that she is going to take it wherever it is and the timing on it, I think gives a lot of confidence to the midcourt as well.”

Fox Netball’s Hannah Hollis said there was “a healthy rivalry building between the two goal shooters vying for that starting position.

Australia shot at over 90 per cent accuracy against Fiji, a stat they will look to keep up in the knockout rounds.

Cara Koenen is also vying for the starting goal shooter position. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023 via Getty Images)

“That shooting percentage has been sitting up there for the entire tournament,” Cox said.

“If we can be in the 90s for the rest of the tournament, it’s in the bag. That’s a really hard to do consistently and when the pressure starts to build. The Australians killing it on all fronts in that performance.”

Australian defender Courtney Bruce was named player of the match against Fiji despite only playing half a game.

Bassett said: “It’s scary isn’t it. She had 11 gains and eight intercepts in just 30 minites.”

The Diamonds will take on Malawi in the second preliminary stage and will be heavy favourites against a team rocked by a team “mutiny” against star goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda that threatens to derail their campaign.

Australia have won everything there is to win in the current netball cycle, including Commonwealth Games gold, Quad Series and the Constellation Cup.

But they are after redemption and desperate to reclaim the World Cup title after losing the 2019 final to New Zealand by one goal.