CENTRE STAGE
NEW WAVE READY TO HOLD COURT
MIDCOURT trio Kate Moloney, Kelsey Browne and Liz Watson are part of generation next for the Diamonds and will play pivotal roles in tonight’s Constellation Cup Test against New Zealand in Townsville. They form part of a Diamonds squad which has undergone recent changes, and are ready to unleash against a Silver Ferns team eager to make amends for last weekend’s 57- 42 loss to the Diamonds in Brisbane.
THEY’RE determined to keep the foot on New Zealand’s throat, but a fierce battle for spots in their own squad is also motivating the Australian Diamonds as they prepare for next year’s World Cup.
A stinging one- goal loss to England in this year’s Commonwealth Games final is fuelling the fire for a new- look Diamonds as they search for a ninth straight win against the Silver Ferns in Townsville’s maiden international Test tonight.
The Diamonds dominated the opening clash of the fourleg Constellation Cup 57- 42 in Brisbane on Sunday, and can seal a sixth straight trophy with victory tonight.
Some experienced heads headlined by Laura Geitz and Madi Robinson have retired, and Kim Ravaillion has taken time off from international duties before the Diamonds look to defend their world title at Liverpool in July.
It has thrown the race for spots in the squad wide open, and the team only needs to recall their heartache on the Gold Coast to find the desire to improve.
“We’re never where we want to be and know we have to keep getting better,” Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.
“If we don’t the other teams are going to catch us up, which we saw in the Commonwealth Games gold medal final when England beat us by one on the buzzer.
“We’re all switched on to the fact that we have to improve.”
Asked how crucial maintaining a mental edge over the Kiwis is, Alexander said: “It’s really important and the athletes are fighting for positions in the squad, looking forward to the World Cup.
“They’ve got to put great performances out there. When they’re part of a winning team they’re making sure they’re most able to be selected for that group heading into Liverpool.”
The huge depth and competition for spots was evident in Brisbane where skipper Caitlin Bassett ( goal shooter) and Steph Wood ( goal attack) started the game, before being replaced at halftime by Caitlin Thwaites and Gretel Tippett.
“It’s definitely keeping us on our toes as a player, wanting to push and have that starting position, but also having so many different options is a bonus,” Bassett said.
“We saw the other night that the difference between all us shooters is really awesome and we have options in that attacking end.
“The best thing about the Diamonds is we always want to be better and each game we can find some lessons from.
“We did a review ( after the Brisbane game) and we did some great things, but there’s definitely some room for growth.”
Silver Ferns skipper Laura Langman will wear the black and white dress for the 146th time, eclipsing retired shooting great Irene van Dyk’s record.
But Bassett, who played alongside mid- court general Langman in Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Suncorp Super Netball title last year, said they’re keen to ruin the celebration.
“Langman’s a good friend of mine and playing that many games for your country is incredible,” Bassett said.
“I love her to bits but I don’t want it to be a successful game for her, and we’ll be working really hard to shut her down.”
WE’RE NEVER WHERE WE WANT TO BE AND KNOW WE HAVE TO KEEP GETTING BETTER... IF WE DON’T THE OTHER TEAMS ARE GOING TO CATCH US UP
LISA ALEXANDER