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Netball great Cath Cox’s huge call on Courtney Bruce ahead of Diamonds squad selection

Just days ahead of the announcement of the Diamonds crucial squad announcement, Australian great Cath Cox has made a huge call on a team veteran - and has backed a team regeneration.

Diamonds great Cath Cox says she wouldn’t name wounded warrior Courtney Bruce in her Australian squad given the risk of taking any player who’s not fully fit into a major tournament.

The Diamonds are set to name their squad next week ahead of series against South Africa and New Zealand in October.

Bruce, the defensive player of the tournament at the World Cup in 2023 and one of the best goalkeepers in the world, would usually be among the first players picked by coach Stacey Marinkovich.

But after battling a chronic calf problem for most of last season that will keep her off court again on Saturday in the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s crucial clash against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, the 31-year-old could be on thin ice with selectors.

Netball great Cath Cox believes the Diamonds can’t risk picking Courtney Bruce. Picture: Getty
Netball great Cath Cox believes the Diamonds can’t risk picking Courtney Bruce. Picture: Getty

At her best, Bruce remains an out and out matchwinner, as shown in her 150th game just a month ago when she finished with eight gains and 13 deflections in the Lightning’s derby win against the Queensland Firebirds.

That match seemed a welcome return to fitness after she had battled injury for much of last year but the sight of the defender on crutches was an ominous sign and the Lightning announced on Friday she had been ruled out of the clash against the Thunderbirds that will decide this season’s last finalist.

It’s not known whether Marinkovich will name an extended squad for 2024-25 next week or a group of players just for the October Test cycle.

Courtney Bruce flies for an intercept during her 150th game against the Queensland Firebirds. Photo: Getty Images
Courtney Bruce flies for an intercept during her 150th game against the Queensland Firebirds. Photo: Getty Images

If it’s the latter, Bruce could be in jeopardy.

“I wouldn’t (pick her),” Fox Netball commentator Cox said.

“I’m not an Australian coach though, and I know there’s so many variables to selection, including combinations and history and experience and all that sort of stuff.”

While the Diamonds do not have a benchmark tournament this season, their seven Tests against South Africa and New Zealand are played in the space of 25 days.

It’s not quite the packed schedule they’ll face at next year’s Commonwealth Games or the 2027 World Cup, where matches will be pack into half the time but it’s a much higher load than during the regular season, when Bruce already struggled to remain on court.

“It’s tough to take a player that’s not fully fit to any sort of major tournament where you’re playing regularly, because that means everybody else has got to pick up a slack and that’s not fair,” Cox said.

“I wouldn’t be taking her to any big tournaments if she wasn’t 100 per cent fit. And having said that, is it the time then to make the change to blood someone this year before you head into a Commonwealth Games and a World Cup.

Fever’s Alice Teague-Neeld, 29, could have a tough task making the Diamonds squad. Photo: Getty Images
Fever’s Alice Teague-Neeld, 29, could have a tough task making the Diamonds squad. Photo: Getty Images

“I don’t know whether Stacey (Marinkovich) will select an extended squad or people that she’ll take on the road, how she’ll manage that, but that’ll be all the sort of stuff that she’ll be thinking about for sure.”

Another player likely to be under the watch of Diamonds selectors over the weekend is midcourter Alice Teague-Neeld, who has been in outstanding form for minor premiers West Coast Fever.

But at 29 and with the Diamonds’ midcourt already boasting three incumbents over 30 and another 29-year-old, do selectors invest in youth and throw all their chips behind Adelaide Thunderbird Georgie Horjus (23), who made her debut last year and injured Melbourne Vixen Hannah Mundy (24), who was a squad member last season?

“Sadly for Alice, I would think (they’ll look to the younger players),” Cox said.

“And I think she’s been also pigeonholed into the fact that she’s a wing attack with the best towering goal shooter in the competition. Can she feed a different attack line?

Fox Netball’s Cath Cox (centre) has made some bold selection calls. Picture: Ian Currie
Fox Netball’s Cath Cox (centre) has made some bold selection calls. Picture: Ian Currie

“That’s the question that’s been hanging over her head for a few seasons.

“I think if they were going to make any sort of changes in that midcourt just given how much depth there is … you’d be smarter to go with those (younger) players.”

While there have been rumours about the return of Gretel Bueta - something Cox would back for a woman she rates as “one of Australia’s best goal attacks ever” - she also believes selectors should consider Adelaide young gun Lauren Frew.

“I think she’s been really smart in the way she’s played the game with and around Romelda Aiken-George - I don’t think she sits back and lets Romelda do all the work, she knows when she’s going to inject herself in games and she’s reliable on the shot, she’s consistent. I think she’s definitely worth a look at.”

Originally published as Netball great Cath Cox’s huge call on Courtney Bruce ahead of Diamonds squad selection

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/netball/netball-great-cath-coxs-huge-call-on-courtney-bruce-ahead-of-diamonds-squad-selection/news-story/484b222a4b27370ce61a28e6cee5d5c7