‘Clear vision’: Diamonds coach on WC selection

By Erin Lyons

Versatility, combinations, ball speed and ruthless defence were all pivotal considerations for the Origin Australian Diamonds head coach when selecting the 12 athletes, and three reserves, bound for the Netball World Cup in Cape Town next month. 

And while any team selection generally draws outside noise, for Stacey Marinkovich that doesn’t concern her because she’s got a “really clear vision”.  

“I appreciate that everyone is really passionate about our sport, and they certainly want to see success. Some fans are really loyal and passionate to particular players and skill sets that appeal to them,” she said. 

“But that’s the part that you need to separate. We have a clear vision as to how we want the Diamonds to play.” 

The team remains relatively unchanged from the squad which brought home a gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Collingwood Magpies goaler Sophie Garbin and GIANTS midcourter Jamie Lee-Price have come into the team of 12, which was picked by Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins.  

Price missed the cut during the Commonwealth Games but has continued to evolve her game which has earned her a spot at the World Cup with Marinkovich saying the strong midcourter offers the team a “point of difference”. 

“We know she's a strong and powerful athlete. When we go up against different opposition, we've got our running game, but we've also got the ability to be able to withstand the physical side that will be applied to us throughout the tournament,” she said. 

“She brings some versatility and ability to impact defensively. She’s grown and adapted her style a little bit as well … we’ve been able to see the potential Jamie has had individually and now combined within the unit. That’s been a work in progress.” 

Garbin proved her brilliance on the international stage last year when she helped the Diamonds to a Constellation Cup series victory. She was also a pivotal part of the team during the January Quad Series which the Diamonds ultimately won.  

Marinkovich said Garbin’s ability to be an option under the post but also bring the other shooters into the game were really desirable skillsets.  

“Sophie's got a great ability to be a high-volume shooter as well as integrate the other shooters around her into the play,” she said. 

“She's very savvy in how to manipulate a defender and the way in which they're doing their setups. That’s certainly something we're going to need when there's such strong defensive combinations in our opposition.” 

The only absentees from the Commonwealth Games team include Gretel Bueta who is preparing to welcome her second child and Melbourne Vixens Kate Moloney who will travel with the team as a reserve. 

Queensland Firebirds duo Donnell Wallam and Ruby Bakewell-Doran were also named as reserves.  

When selecting a World Cup squad the preparation starts early. 

So early, that it was on Marinkovich’s mind when she took the top job over two years ago. 

“When you've got a tri-series or Quad Series there's still a level of trying to explore and understand what you've got (as a playing group). But the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup only come around once every four years so the planning for it is a lot more detailed,” she said. 

When Marinkovich took over in 2020 she focused on laying a foundation for the brand of netball the Diamonds wanted to play before evolving that to ensure they could adapt that brand depending on their opposition.  

The question she then had to answer was how to make sure that brand was solid under intense pressure. 

“They’re the things that you look to in building to a World Cup, and then it's just tracking the players along that journey to see where they're showing growth and where they're challenged most,” she said. 

“Sometimes you can be tracking along pretty well, but you might not be at your absolute best. What we've got to see is whether we've got the time to make sure that you're peaking for a World Cup.” 

The Diamonds will be one of the favourites heading into this World Cup given their world number one status. They lost the 2019 World Cup final to New Zealand by a goal but have won every trophy on offer since. 

But the job is far from done. Marinkovich is well aware of the plethora of impact players across international netball, and with the game only continuing to grow, it’s only going to get more competitive. 

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games Jamaica defeated the Diamonds during the early stages, a first on the international stage. 

“We need to be aware of the skills of the superstars of the game and how they can impact a game. And then you look at holistically the style in which opposition plays,” she said. 

“New Zealand obviously play that more area defence and more reliance on their connectedness out on court. Whereas Jamaica has individual flair and an incredible ability to read the game. They’re coming together and their cohesion has certainly improved, but they also do rely on some key personnel.” 

When asked why she believes this will be the squad that can get the job done for Australia, Marinkovich said it came down to versatility, individual flair, and powerful combinations. 

“We've got great versatility (which helps us) to be able to change our game plan or change the way in which we want to play through personal strengths. Their individual flair and skill sets will have impact when they enter the court,” she said. 

“The versatility and the variations in which we can play too… we've got enough depth to run the tournament out extremely hard.  

“I think we're going to be really ruthless in our defence and we want to really create some good ball speed to maximise getting the ball to the shooters.” 

The Netball World Cup will run from July 28 to August 6 in Cape Town, South Africa. You can watch all Diamonds games live and free on Kayo Freebies.  

THE TEAM 

Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)  

Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)  

Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies/New South Wales)  

Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)  

Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies/Western Australia)  

Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)  

Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/South Australia)  

Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)  

Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)  

Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)  

Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)  

Steph Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)  

RESERVES 

Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Queensland Firebirds/Queensland)  

Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)  

Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds/Western Australia)