Five things we learned: Con Cup

By Matt Fotia 

They say you learn more from a loss than a win. 

For just the third time in Constellation Cup history the trophy is in New Zealand’s possession, thanks to some scintillating Silver Fern displays across the last fortnight. 

Here’s five things we learned from the Diamonds defeat. 

RISING SUN(DAY) 

In a series with few shining lights, Sunday Aryang shone bright.  

The versatile defender switched between wing defence and goal defence with aplomb and was one of the key reasons the Diamonds were able to finish the series on a high in Melbourne, grabbing four gains, four deflections, two intercepts and two rebounds in just 45 minutes of play. 

With a new international cycle now in full swing, Aryang is firming as the defender Stacey Marinkovich can build her side around.  

The West Australian has dynamic athleticism, is adept on the body, dangerous in air, has plenty of speed to burn, and importantly she is a natural at wing defence, allowing more flexibility when it comes to defensive line-ups. 

There will be plenty of changes to this Diamonds line-up by the time Sydney 2027 rolls around, but one thing is for sure, Sunday Aryang’s name will be locked in. 

EYES FORWARD 

There was a consistent theme to Stacey Marinkovich’s first three press conferences this series. 

The all-conquering coach was on a fact-finding mission. 

Obviously, Marinkovich set her side out there to win, she would never do anything else. But when faced with large deficits she turned to her bench, eager to try out new players and new combinations on one of netball’s biggest stages. 

If we cast an eye to the future, there is only really a handful of series where Marinkovich can go fact-finding again before the Diamonds next marquee event, the Commonwealth Games comes knocking. 

What does this all mean? It means next year's SSN campaign is a big one for any Diamonds hopefuls.  

It’s now or never if you want to throw your hat in the ring. 

YOUR GRACE 

Speaking of next year’s SSN season, we should probably acknowledge the outrageous performances of NSW Swifts signing Grace Nweke. 

The Silver Ferns shooter finished the series with 169 goals from 180 attempts (94%) and was at times pretty much unplayable. It makes you think, how dangerous could New Zealand have been if injury didn’t strike her down in Cape Town last year. 

Negating Nweke will be the key to stopping New Zealand at future tournaments. And yes, as of next season she technically cannot represent New Zealand, but let’s not kid ourselves, one way or another Grace Nweke will be eligible to play for New Zealand at both the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup in 2027. 

While defenders across the nation will naturally be dreading having to combat Nweke next season, there is a silver lining to her presence on Australian shores next winter. 

They will be given a chance to figure out how to stop netball’s new number one. 

CLOSING IN 

If we take our Diamonds-studded glasses off and step back, the last six weeks of international netball have been promising for the neutral fan. 

The Diamonds defeated England, but the Roses stole a game off the world champions.  

England then jumped across the ditch and knocked off the Silver Ferns, who have since snatched the Constellation Cup out of our grasp. 

England will soon host Jamaica, and international netball fans await that series eagerly. 

While there is still no doubt who the best side in the world is (the Diamonds if you were wondering), the distance between them and the rest of the field is closing, and closing fast. 

And as much as we don’t want to admit it, the tightening of the field is good for the sport. 

HORJUS MANIA 

Georgie Horjus achieved her childhood dream last Sunday, when she stepped out onto the RAC Arena court for the first time as an Australian Diamond and if the reaction in the crowd, and online, is anything to go by she could soon be Australia’s favourite netballer. 

Everyone from Cath Cox to your neighbourhood barista was bouncing off the walls with excitement when the Thunderbirds star was injected into the game, and she took to it like a duck to water, finishing with 20 feeds and 12 centre pass receives from her 24 minutes of court time.