Late-blooming defender Matilda Garrett is a surprise inclusion in the Australian squad named ahead of the upcoming Netball World Cup in South Africa.
Garrett, 24, made her Super Netball debut back in 2018 but had never previously cracked the Diamonds.
Able to play both goal defence and goal keeper, she has replaced NSW Swifts defender Maddy Turner.
Queensland Firebirds shooter Donnell Wallam has been recalled to the 19-player squad after missing selection for Australia’s triumphant campaign in the quad series in January.
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich named every player who won gold at last year’s Commonwealth Games apart from the pregnant and unavailable Gretel Bueta.
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Defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran also earned a spot despite her Queensland Firebirds posting only one win for the Super Netball season.
The squad will be cut to 12, plus three emergencies, closer to the World Cup, which begins in Cape Town on July 28.
Marinkovich is expected to take four shooters, four defenders and four midcourters.
A shift to Adelaide Thunderbirds from Collingwood in 2021 appears to have paid dividends for Garrett, who caught the eye of Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant and Michelle Wilkins.
“Matilda Garrett comes into the squad after demonstrating growth in areas that support Australia’s defensive style of play,” Marinkovich said in a team announcement statement on Thursday night.
“Matilda is a tight one-on-one defender who maintains intensity and we look forward to seeing her develop in the Diamonds squad.
“Selection is incredibly difficult, but this squad has performed strongly, including success at last year’s Commonwealth Games.”
Able to select up to 22 players, Marinkovich said she could add to the squad over the next 12 months.
Following the Super Netball grand final which is locked into Melbourne on Saturday, July 8, the Diamonds will assemble for a training camp before travelling to Cape Town for the showpiece tournament.
They are looking to wrest back the trophy after losing it to New Zealand in the final in 2019 in Liverpool, England.
2023-24 Diamonds squad
Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever), Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens), Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Queensland Firebirds), Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies), Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever), Sophie Dwyer (Giants), Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies), Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts), Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts), Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens), Amy Parmenter (Giants), Jamie-Lee Price (Giants), Maddy Proud (NSW Swifts), Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds), Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens), Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens), Steph Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning).
-AAP
