Selectors ringing in changes for squads

NEW mum Laura Geitz and one of the most experienced players in Australian netball are missing while only one player from a Sydney Super Netball club will be wearing the green and gold for the Diamonds in the lead- up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Australian teams for the upcoming Quad Series and Constellation Cup have been overhauled with the chief casualties veteran shooter Natalie Medhurst, the seventh most capped player in the game with 86 Tests, and NSW Swifts centre courter Paige Hadley.

Hadley has missed out on both teams but has been named in the 18- strong Australian squad, keeping alive her bid to play at the Commonwealth Games next year.

Giants shooter Susan Pettitt, who forced her way back into Australian colours late in 2017 after years on the outer, has been named for the Constellation Cup series only, missing the cull for the first- up Quad Series in August and September.

Pettitt, part of the Giants team which finished runner- up to Lightning in the inaugural Super Netball league, must run with the opportunity with coach Lisa Alexander blessed with a glut of shooting talent ahead of Australia’s Commonwealth Games crown defence.

Alexander said defender Geitz had yet to indicate whether she wanted to return to the international arena after giving birth to her first child four months ago while admitted the axing of veteran shooter Medhurst has been difficult and “emotional”.

“It was extremely tough. It cuts deep,” Alexander said of Medhurst’s omission.

Caitlin Bassett, April Brandley, Courtney Bruce, Sharni Layton, Tegan Phillip, Kim Ravaillion, Madi Robinson, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippet, Liz Watson, Jo Weston. Caitlin Bassett, April Brandley, Courtney Bruce, Sharni Layton, Susan Pettitt, Kim Ravaillion, Madi Robinson, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Liz Watson, Jo Weston, Stephanie Wood.