Netball news 2024: Experience or youth? Why it’s crucial Marinkovich nails Diamonds selection

Ahead of the Diamonds’ series against England, former Aussie coach LISA ALEXANDER writes it’s pivotal her successor picks the right side not just for the now, but for the best chance at World Cup glory.

Stacey Marinkovich is facing a true test of her mettle as head coach, where she is deservedly firmly ensconced, after leading the Australian Diamonds to sustained excellence in the past two years.

The level of performance, bar a couple of stumbles, is truly mind boggling especially as England, Jamaica and New Zealand are consistently nipping at the Diamonds’ heels.

Can Stacey create an even better Diamonds squad that is hungry for improvement and the need to make hay while the sun shines in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup?

This series against the England Roses is the ideal time to start testing and trialling, albeit with players needing to earn their positions.

However, this is also a very difficult balancing act, especially if everyone is fit and healthy and performing at Super Netball level.

Reputation, longevity and experience do count when playing for your country, especially those who have created that winning combination.

The Diamonds kick off the series with the Roses on Thursday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Time does not stand still, and the squad must be refreshed and given opportunities to thrive and grow in the Diamonds High Performance environment and in true Test playing conditions.

The training court is just that, practice but not the same as a Test match.

It is always tempting to go back to the safety of what you know and who you trust to get the job done as the head coach, and the selectors are looking to the future, but they don’t quite have that same level of accountability.

The Diamonds faced the Roses in England back in January. Picture: Getty Images

At the end of the day Stacey is the one judged by the results in the now, whilst balancing the need to build a stronger future by giving new players Test experience.

She needs to holistically lift the standard of the team if they are to remain ahead of the world. Lifting the standards of high performance in all aspects of the program.

The head coach needs to be strategically brave now as she has been to win the first two benchmark events.

Injuries to Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston present an ideal opportunity for Ash Ervin, Matilda Garrett and Rudi Ellis to step up.

I am excited to see a Garrett and Ervin combination but usually it is a drip feed, so most likely we will see Garrett with Sarah Klau behind her or Sunday Aryang with Ervin behind her.

The mantra for the Diamonds defence is to get or create gains, and the proactive work in tight one-on-one defence to create gains will be critical for Garrett, as will the long reach of Ervin and her ability to get into the English goalers’ heads with her superb defence of the shot.

The pressure is on Klau to step up into the defensive leadership role that awaits her in this series.

Lisa Alexander coached the Diamonds from 2011 to 2020. Picture: AAP Image

It is her time to shine and own consistent court time either in GD or GK.

At the other end of the court, I cannot wait to see Georgie Horjus injected into the Diamonds attack end, with her guile and speed being such a weapon.

The conundrum then is who do you leave out. Is the pressure on Sophie Dwyer?

Does she bring the point of difference to the team? Is her work off the ball in attack and defence for 60 minutes enough to get her into the 12? Sophie Garbin, Kiera Austin and Cara Koenen should be first picked.

And then there is the centre court and the need to settle on a WD?

Lisa Alexander says Cara Koenen should be first picked. Picture: Getty Images

If it is Amy Parmenter, and I for one would love to see her given the opportunity, then one of the fab four centre courts will be under pressure.

The centre court balance is always on a knife’s edge with the three positions to be covered.

Do the selectors err on the side of extra WA or WD coverage?

In this case that would mean either Jamie-Lee Price or Kate Moloney will be in the stands.

For me Moloney is the most under pressure, as Price nudges ahead with World Cup winning experience and a more solid WD cover.

Paige Hadley and Liz Watson are both certain starters against England, but once again the need to develop depth in the centre court should be firmly in the selectors’ minds.

The likes of Tayla Williams and Hannah Mundy can’t be ignored for too long.

Now is the start of the run to the 2027 World Cup - let the race begin.

Originally published as Netball news 2024: Experience or youth? Why it’s crucial Marinkovich nails Diamonds selection