Pinch-me moments keep coming for Diamonds defender Garrett

In just over 12 months, Tilly Garrett has won two premierships, made her Diamonds debut and captained Australia to a Fast5 title. On the Super Netball scrapheap just a few years ago, she is savouring every moment.

When Matilda Garrett was not offered a contract by the Collingwood Magpies four years ago her elite career was at a crossroads before the Adelaide Thunderbirds threw a career lifeline that has allowed the versatile defender to become one of the rising stars of netball.

Garrett will line up in her fourth Test in her adopted home on Thursday night when the Diamonds take on England in the first game of a three-Test series between last year’s World Cup finalists.

It’s another pinch-me moment for the 26-year-old, who in the past year has won back-to-back Super Netball premierships, made her Diamonds debut and captained Australia to a world Fast5 title in New Zealand.

Matilda Garrett in action during her Diamonds debut in the series between Australian Diamonds and South Africa Proteas at Cairns Convention Centre. Photo: Getty Images

“When you put it like that, yeah, it’s been a pretty incredible 12 months for not only me, but obviously the Thunderbirds and also the Australian Diamonds,” she said.

Garrett is nothing, if not modest. But her wonder is genuine.

Cut by the Magpies four years ago, she could not have imagined what lay ahead.

“It was an extremely tough time, I think, because when you play with the team you put all of yourself into that team, and everyone that you play with … and I debuted there and Pies gave me that opportunity,” Garrett said.

“So it was extremely hard, but also it was the right time - and I was so excited at the thought of coming across to Adelaide.”

Garrett (right) is a back-to-back champion. Picture: Getty Images

Even last year though, Garrett’s main aim was just to be a consistent starting seven player for the T-Birds, whose defensive line-up also includes outstanding Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson.

“Last year, I think the first three games, I didn’t start on the court,” she said.

“(Playing for the Diamonds) was definitely a dream of mine but a dream that I never thought would be possible.

“And I often reflect on that, even at camps and just think that how cool is it that I’m actually here and being able to train.

“Across my netball career, there’s definitely been points where I’ve thought that I wasn’t going to be recontracted, or really pushing to get any minute that I can on the court.

“So I’m just absolutely still pinching myself that I get to be here and playing with the Australian Diamonds.”

Making the squad last year, ahead of her debut in Cairns against South Africa, was a perfect time for reflection.

“You do think about all the all the great things that have happened, but also all the setbacks and all the things that you’ve done and the teams you’ve played with and the people you’ve played with.

“You also realise how special it is for your family and for other people and for the coaches that you play with for … it’s taken a lot of hard work and an army behind me to get to where I am today.”

Many members of that army will be on hand at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday night, with Garrett having plenty of family and friends in the stands.

And she’s hoping she can be a part of a great mate’s debut as well, if Kangaroo Island product Georgie Horjus is called up.

With Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston out of the defensive rotation and potential debutants Ash Ervin and Rudi Ellis in the squad, Garrett is certain to get on court.

Matilda Garrett (left) hopes she can get on court with great friend and Thunderbirds teammate Georgie Horjus in Thursday’s Test against England in Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

Horjus is less certain though and will only know if she even suits up on Thursday morning when coach Stacey Marinkovich trims her squad of 15 to a match-day 12.

If Horjus gets a call-up though, Garrett is backing her to succeed.

“I absolutely love playing with Georgie. But more than that, we’re great friends and we hang out together a lot outside of netball, so it would be a bit of a dream come true if we could be on the court together - we’ve got our own little connection and I’m just really excited for the thought of her debuting in front of her family and friends in Adelaide,” Garrett said.

“She’s just an absolute athlete. She does everything right and is always wanting to improve, but she’s just been such a consistent performer since she played her first game for the Thunderbirds - and there’s not many wing attack/goal attacks that swing across those two (positions), so she’s very versatile.

“I’m just so glad that you know her hard work and performances are recognised and now she’s got an opportunity to play for Australia.”