In a stunning display of resilience and skill, Australia’s Diamonds netball team have rebounded from a series of disappointing losses to claim a decisive 63-50 victory over their trans-Tasman rivals, the New Zealand Silver Ferns, in the fourth and final match of the Constellation Cup. The win, which took place in front of a sold-out home crowd at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, denied the Silver Ferns a clean sweep of the series and provided a much-needed boost to the world champion Diamonds.
Diamonds Shine with Key Changes
The Diamonds’ turnaround can be attributed to several key changes made by coach Stacey Marinkovich. The inclusion of Melbourne Vixens players Kate Moloney at centre and Kiera Austin at goal attack proved to be a masterstroke, as the duo’s familiarity with the venue and their teammates helped to ignite the Diamonds’ attack.
Garbin’s Flawless Performance
Goalshooter Sophie Garbin was the star of the show, delivering a perfect 36 goals from 36 attempts – the first time she has achieved such a feat in a Diamonds uniform. Garbin’s accuracy under pressure was a testament to her growing confidence and importance to the team.
Sophie’s performance today was simply outstanding. To shoot at 100% at this level is incredibly difficult, but she made it look easy. Her movement, positioning, and composure were all top-notch.
– Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich
Defensive Duo Stifle Silver Ferns
The Diamonds’ defensive end also played a crucial role in the victory, with goalkeeper Courtney Bruce silencing her critics by keeping the dangerous Grace Nweke quiet for much of the match. Her partner in defense, the athletic Sunday Aryang, maintained constant pressure on the Silver Ferns’ attackers, forcing turnovers and disrupting their rhythm.
A Tale of Two Halves
The match began as a tight affair, with the scores locked at 15-15 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Diamonds found another gear in the second quarter, storming to a six-goal lead by halftime. Garbin and Austin’s partnership in the shooting circle proved too much for the Silver Ferns’ defense to handle, while Bruce and Aryang continued to apply pressure at the other end.
The Diamonds maintained their intensity in the second half, pushing the lead out to a commanding 11 goals by three-quarter time. Despite a late surge from the Silver Ferns, led by the introduction of midcourt ace Maddy Gordon, the Diamonds held firm to secure the win and salvage some pride from the series.
Building for the Future
While the victory will come as a relief to the Diamonds and their supporters, coach Marinkovich acknowledged that there is still much work to be done as the team builds towards next year’s Netball World Cup.
This win is a step in the right direction, but we know we have a lot of improvement left in us. We’ll take the positives from today, learn from the negatives, and continue to build towards our ultimate goal of winning the World Cup.
– Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich
With the Constellation Cup now wrapped up, both teams will turn their attention to the upcoming Quad Series, where they will face off against England and South Africa. For the Diamonds, the focus will be on maintaining the form and intensity they displayed in this final match, while continuing to develop their combinations and build depth across the court.
As for the Silver Ferns, the series win will give them plenty of confidence heading into the Quad Series and beyond. However, they will be acutely aware that the Diamonds, when at their best, remain a formidable opponent and that the trans-Tasman rivalry is far from settled.
The Road Ahead
With the international netball calendar packed with high-profile events over the next 12 months, including the Netball World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, both the Diamonds and the Silver Ferns will have ample opportunity to test themselves against the world’s best and stake their claim as the dominant force in world netball.
For now, though, the Diamonds can savor this hard-fought victory and use it as a springboard for future success. With a mix of experienced campaigners and exciting young talents, the Australian team has the potential to achieve great things in the coming years. But as this series has shown, nothing can be taken for granted in the world of international netball, and the Diamonds will need to be at their very best every time they take the court.
