Geitz in surprise return
Silver Ferns nemesis Laura Geitz has earned a shock recall to Australia’s Commonwealth Games team but fellow defensive pillar Sharni Layton’s push for a return has fallen short.
Midfielder Madi Robinson was the other surprise inclusion for the Games on the Gold Coast in April after the vice-captain was cut before the Constellation Cup last year.
Geitz has not played for Australia since 2015 and missed the last Super Netball season to have her first child.
She has a great record against the Silver Ferns, leading Australia to win the 2014 Commonwealth Games title and the 2015 world championships, as well as playing when the Diamonds won the 2011 world champs.
Layton was pulled from the side last year due to exhaustion, with both former captains given last-minute chances to push their case for selection at a training camp last month.
Both impressed, but there was only room for Geitz in coach Lisa Alexander’s final squad as Layton and fellow defender Emily Mannix were left out.
‘‘It was an enormously difficult selection, there’s no other way to say it,’’ Alexander said.
‘‘What we have done is try to pick a team on form, on who is performing now.’’Attacking duo Gretel Tippett and Tegan Philip were also omitted as Stephanie Wood and Susan Pettitt were preferred as partners to Caitlin Thwaites and captain Caitlin Bassett.
The Silver Ferns squad will be named on Thursday.