Garbin knocking on door of Games team: Murray

DARCEE Garbin’s gold medal performance with the Emerging Opals could have her in line for a Commonwealth Games debut in her adopted home city next year.

That’s the view of her Townsville Fire teammate Mia Murray after Garbin led Australia to an 85- 78 victory over Japan in the final of the World University Games in Chinese Taipei.

Garbin flirted with a triple- double as Australia held off a late comeback from Japan in the gold medal game, finishing with a game- high 30 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

The 23- year- old is yet to play for the Australian senior team, but she could get her big chance when the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games tips off in April.

As revealed by the Townsville Bulletin yesterday, the top- seeded Opals will be based in Townsville during the pool stages of the basketball with blockbuster matches against England, Canada, and Mozambique.

Murray believed Garbin’s star turn with the Emerging Opals along with her consistent performances for the Fire proved the young forward was ready to take the next step in her international career.

“Absolutely ( she could play at the Commonwealth Games),” Murray said.

“She was just amazing all tournament long. She was co- captain and I just know how hard she worked and put in a great super effort over there.

“She’s just put in a huge performance on the international stage and I think that’s going to turn heads.”

Townsville will host 12 games across the men’s and women’s basketball events, along with the two women’s qualifying finals at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.

The Fire already have the best crowds in the WNBL, but Murray believed hosting some of the world’s best female players during the Commonwealth Games would only help boost the profile of the sport in North Queensland.

“As a player with the Townsville Fire, I know how much community support we get up here so it’s really exciting,” Murray said.

“Townsville has a really big basketball following as it is. Having worldclass basketball in our home city is only going to do wonders for the sport.

“I definitely think we’re very fortunate here in Townsville to have the top- four seeds playing. They’re going to be really high- class games.

“Canada is knocking on the door of top- five international ranking and we know how awesome our Opals are.”