Netball World Cup 2023: Which players will make the Diamonds squad?

A crucial match-up between two bolters looms as one of the biggest duels as the jostling for World Cup spots heats up. See the contests that will shape the line-up.

The top-of-the-table clash between Adelaide Thunderbirds and unbeaten West Coast Fever could decide more than just who leads the competition after the opening round of Super Netball fixtures.

Held just days out from Stacey Marinkovich announcing her preliminary Diamonds group for 2023, the match could also help decide some of the final places in the squad.

As the defending Commonwealth Games, Quad Series and Constellation Cup champions, the Diamonds are unlikely to make wholesale changes to their squad for the World Cup.

But the 2023 group named next week will include players who will who take part in the end-of-season Tests, in what could be a changing of the guard for an ageing Australian group.

We preview four contests that will help decide Sunday’s heavyweight contest.

LaTanya Wilson v Alice Teague-Neeld

Teague-Neeld has been a revelation for the Fever since her switch to wing attack last year. The former shooter has been manufactured into a midcourter by coach Dan Ryan but a role feeding the circle and creating opportunities for the Fever shooters is not vastly different from that she played as a goal attack.

She has a tough ask this week coming up against the Thunderbirds’ Jamaican wing defence LaTanya Wilson, who shut down Diamonds captain Liz Watson last week in an outstanding display that led to a Thunderbirds upset win.

Alice Teague-Neeld has been a revelation for the Fever since her switch to wing attack. Picture: Getty Images

Matilda Garrett v Sasha Glasgow

These two are among the bolters for the Diamonds squad as Marinkovich looks towards the end of season Tests to shape the future of the Australian team. Glasgow has been outstanding for the Fever is a perfect foil for champion shooter Jhaniele Fowler, especially from super shot range. While the two-point goal is not part of the international game, her ability to turn and shoot from distance under pressure would also be enormously valuable to the Diamonds.

Garrett has forged in incredible combination with Jamaican ‘keeper Shamera Sterling as the Thunderbirds warm as premiership favourites. Her ability to read the play, double back in tandem with Sterling when needed and quick reflexes, have helped shut down some of the best shooters in the league and there’s no doubt Marinkovich and her selectors will be watching carefully.

Sasha Glasgow. Picture: Getty Images

Matilda Garrett. Picture: Getty Images

Verity Simmons v Tayla Williams

Former Diamond Simmons plays her 150th national league game on Sunday, an effort the club will want to celebrate with a victory. The depth of Australia’s midcourt is incredible and while Simmons is still a great player — with her feeding of Jhaniele Fowler a prime example — she’s unlikely to feature in the Diamonds squad given their depth. Her battle against Williams, who is likely to start at centre ahead of Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty, is the master versus the apprentice.

Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst could face some difficult decisions as the season wears on with former Australian U19 squad member Williams improving every time she runs out and pushing for a permanent starting spot.

Shamera Sterling v Jhaniele Fowler

It’s not just the Diamonds selectors who will be watching this match with interest. Jamaica’s coaching staff will have this game on replay as Sterling goes head-to-head with Fowler in a contest of arguably the two best players in their position in the world. If Jamaica is to cause an upset in South Africa, as they almost did at the Commonwealth Games last year, it will be because these two players are at their peak.

Fowler seems to have found a new lease on life surrounded by her family in Perth and is playing as well as she ever has, while Sterling has taken her game to even greater heights, revelling in the responsibility of being part of the Thunderbirds’ leadership group.

Jamaica stars Jhaniele Fowler and Shamera Sterling will go head to head when the Fever and Thunderbirds clash. Picture: Getty Images

Marinkovich will also be closely monitoring other contests around the league this weekend, although her squad is all but set.

Donnell Wallam’s battle against Giants defenders Tilly McDonell and April Brandley in Brisbane will be high on their list, as will the contest between Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Giants goalers Sophie Dwyer and Jo Harten.

The Swifts and Vixens midcourt match-up and the Maddy Turner-Kiera Austin clash in Sydney could also be on the radar, while in Tuesday’s Anzac Day clash between the Magpies and Lightning, Ash Brazill’s ability to slow delivery to the Sunshine Coast circle and goalers Steph Wood and Cara Koenen could be under the spotlight.