The Origin Australian Diamonds have once again proven too good for the England Roses, taking game three 57-53.
Despite a brave effort from the visitors in the second half, it was all Diamonds from the first whistle at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Maddy Turner, playing her first minutes of the series, injected herself into the game early with a pickup in the defensive circle before taking an intercept just minutes later.
A deflection from Amy Parmenter also helped the Diamonds get off to a hot start.
They took a five-goal lead early before gradually stretching the margin out forcing the Roses to make two changes, including taking Helen Housby off who was replaced by Sophie Drakeford-Lewis in goal attack.
After being out ill for the Sydney game Donnell Wallam returned to the court and slotted 15 goals at 100 per cent during the first term.
England Series skipper Paige Hadley also had a flying start with seven goal assists and eight feeds to her name by the end of the first term. While Turner had two intercepts and a deflection.
Amy Parmenter was impressive during the first half.After leading by eight goals at the first break the Diamonds were challenged early with the Roses getting two gains to bring the margin back to just four goals.
Funmi Fadoju, at just 176cm tall, was once again a headache for the home side, picking up four gains before half-time.
Courtney Bruce may have looked quiet on the stats sheet but had worked relentlessly to shut down Roses’ shooter Eleanor Cardwell in attack.
Kate Moloney was also consistent in the opening half, with eight goal assists and 15 feeds.
Wallam maintained her unblemished record during the second term, scoring eight from eight attempts. Austin slotted 9/11 and was also impressive with her defensive effort, picking up two gains in before half-time.
After the early challenge from the Roses, the Diamonds regained momentum before pushing the lead back out to nine by the main break.
The Diamonds made some changes heading into the third term, bringing Sophie Dwyer into goal attack and sending Austin to the bench. Weston also came on for Turner.
The changes coming no doubt to keep England on its toes after it drew level with the Aussies in the second term, scoring 12 apiece.
Dwyer’s impact was immediately felt when she took an intercept at the transverse line before slotting her first goal.
Sophie Garbin was injected into the game for Wallam about halfway through the third term after England clawed back the Aussies’ lead to just four.
The crowd was electric in Brisbane.The game started to swing England’s way about midway through the third. Cardwell and Laura Malcolm starting to combine well.
The visitors outscored the Diamonds in the third 14-11, leaving the home side with work to do.
There were several changes across the court for the Australians heading into the last.
Sarah Klau came into goal keeper, Bruce moved out to goal defence and Weston took the wing defence bib.
Jamie-Lee Price also slotted into the game for Moloney.
A Weston pickup helped swing momentum back the Australians’ way, with the home crowd backing their every move.
Another loose ball from the Roses ended in another Diamonds goal, pushing the lead out to seven.
Dwyer really made her presence known in the last, sinking several long shots with ease. She finished with 9/10.
Hadley finished as the Origin Player of the Match with 16 goal assists and 26 feeds.
The win wraps up a clean sweep for the Diamonds this series after they came out victorious in Newcastle and Sydney.
