The candidates for the 2025-26 Diamonds squad dissected – who makes the cut and who misses out

Taking into account potential drops in form, injuries and pregnancies makes picking a Diamonds squad almost impossible. So who gets the call and who misses out? Nat Medhurst examines the options.

While most of us are watching the Suncorp Super Netball season each week to see which teams win and who ultimately will take the Premiership title, for Aussie Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich and her team of selectors, they are tuning in for a different reason.

To see who will make the cut for the 2025-26 Diamonds Squad.

For both selectors and players, these selections are big ones. It is this one squad that puts you in a position to be selected for the next two big events in world netball, starting with the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Nat Medhurst’s contenders for the 2025-26 Diamonds squad. Picture: Supplied

Looking at the 2024/25 squad, and based on current SSN form so far, it might be tough to determine where (or if any) changes will be made, after Marinkovich introduced some new talent into the Diamonds following their successful World Cup campaign in 2023 and retirements to Steph Fretwell and Ash Brazill from the green and gold.

While the Diamonds suffered losses to the Silver Ferns at the end of 2024, I’m not convinced that there will be much change.

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Stacey Marinkovich and her team of selectors are looking at who makes the 2025-26 Diamonds squad. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

What is known, is that a lot can happen in a year of netball and the ability to consider the next 24-months, potential drops in form, injuries, pregnancies and even retirements all need to be covered for. A difficult task for anyone.

The big question is who can step up and perform at the international level.

International selection is vastly different to “the old days”, where getting a spot in the squad was incredibly hard to come by let alone breaking into the team of 12.

Today, there are players who put out solid domestic performances and yes there is talent, but is it International talent?

For me, there are probably two glaring realities in the state of netball at the elite level when it comes to talent. And both are in stark contrast to each other.

Defensively, the current Diamonds squad has somewhat of an ‘ageing’ defence end, while in attack, the depth that exists is an absolute concern for Australian netball.

With the way that SSN is now played with the super shot and rotating subs, many players show glimpses or five minute ‘spurts’ of good performances. How much can a selector rely on those glimpses to make an accurate decision on what someone is capable of consistently producing across an international game, let alone week to week or back to back in tournament play.

Melbourne Vixens’ shooter Kiera Austin is a certainty for this Diamonds squad. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

SHOO-INS

Without a doubt there are names who are absolute certainties for this Diamonds squad. Seasoned players who continue to perform consistently, who have a proven track record at not only the International level, but also in big games. And that does matter.

This includes Diamonds captain Liz Watson, Vixens shooters Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin, alongside Paige Hadley, Jaime-Lee Price, Kate Moloney, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Sunday Aryang and Jo Weston.

While Courtney Bruce has been sharing court time with young gun Ash Ervin over at the Lightning, I do believe she will sneak in given her favourable stats so far this season and ability to win much needed ball.

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Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Leesa Mi Mi could be a bolter for the Diamonds squad. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

YOUNG GUNS

Young talent, within reason, will need to continue to be a part of the selectors’ thinking, especially not wanting to be left with a gaping hole should there be a mass exodus after the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.

Continuing on from her 2024 debut and stellar SSN performances, Georgie Horjus should expect to remain in the squad, alongside Hannah Mundy, Ash Ervin and Sophie Dwyer.

Given her form, Georgie Horjus should expect to remain in the Diamonds squad. Picture: Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images

A bolter might well be the Lightning’s Leesa Mi Mi, who has impressed this season with her consistency as well as her ability to combine with Watson, which may work in her favour.

QUESTION MARKS & UNLUCKY PLAYERS

The future of Donnell Wallam will be watched closely, following the need to move across the ditch to play in the New Zealand ANZ Championship competition after the Diamonds shooter was unable to secure a spot in an SSN Club in 2025.

Likely working against Wallam is that they are several rounds behind SSN only have just started their season as the Aussie domestic competition approached the halfway mark.

The future of Donnell Wallam will be watched closely. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

After breaking into the Diamonds squad and making her Aussie debut in 2023, Matilda Garrett may be nervous about her position as she will likely be facing competition from other young defenders in Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Tara Hinchliffe.

As a part of their decision, I can imagine selectors are weighing up similar players and whether or not they choose to remove a previous squad member who has been sitting on the edge for a younger player.

If so, I think this is where Amy Parmenter may miss out as I feel preference lies with Price and Maloney playing the wing defence and centre positions.

For me, it is the ‘invitees’ into the squad that will be of interest. These players are invited along to attend training camps to gain exposure to the environment and to allow selectors a closer look at them at the next level, leaving opportunities for them to be added into the Squad.

This is where we will see the young guns popping up as they plan for what might be possible for 2027 and especially beyond.

After breaking into the Diamonds squad and making her Aussie debut in 2023, Matilda Garrett may be nervous about her position. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

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Based on performances, I would be considering Jordan Cransberg, Olivia Wilkinson, Lauren Frew, Matisse Letherbarrow and Erin O’Brien as invitees into the fold.

Added to this list – Gretel Bueta.

Gretel Bueta after winning Commonwealth Games’ gold in Birmingham, 2022. Picture: Sue McKay/Getty Images

This is the name that everyone is talking about and whether or not she will walk straight back into the Diamonds squad following footage on social media of her training with Stacey Marinkovich.

Assuming that a return to netball is on the cards (it may not be), but I don’t believe a spot straight into the squad after three years on the sideline without any SSN netball should be awarded.

Her history as a player, prior to the birth of her two recent children likely warrants consideration, but not to remove someone else from the squad list after significant

time out of the game.

I’d believe conversations would be had surrounding her interest, so by putting her on ‘invitee’ list, it provides her the opportunity to return to SSN next season and still the chance to be elevated into the squad and ultimately Commonwealth Games selection if performances warrant it.

Originally published as The candidates for the 2025-26 Diamonds squad dissected – who makes the cut and who misses out