By Stephanie Smarrelli
Origin Diamonds defender Sarah Klau has well and truly cemented her spot in the green and gold.
Celebrating her 50th international test match on the weekend against Uganda, Klau starred with two intercepts, two gains and two deflections.
Having dreamed of representing Australia since she was young, the South Australian defender achieved her goal making her debut at the Netball World Cup in 2019.
Away from home and on the world’s biggest stage, Klau was handed the goal keeper bib by then coach Lisa Alexander AM and the rest, you could say, was history.
Stepping onto the court against Northern Ireland Klau was impressive with four intercepts in a half.
From there she featured in five more matches at her maiden world cup and has been in the squad ever since.
The defender first pulled on the green and gold dress to represent Australia in 2019.The no fuss defender is a key cog in the Origin Diamonds set up playing every match throughout 2023 and having a hand in Australia's recent World Cup victory and Commonwealth Games Gold Medal.
At 190cm tall Klau is an imposing figure on the court with her closing speed, long reach and instinct for the ball creating nightmares for Australia's opposition.
She delicately balances tightly wearing down an opponent and leaving them to chase an intercept.
Capable of turning a game on its head, the 29-year-old’s ability to move into goal defence is an important element of the Diamonds versatile defensive unit.
Throughout her first 50 games in the green and gold Klau has tallied 27 intercepts, truly making her mark on the international stage.
One of Klau’s standout matches in the green and gold came at one of world netball's biggest events, the Commonwealth Games.
Klau was part of Australia's 2022 Commonwealth Games team.Lining up against the Jamaicans in the gold medal match, Klau rose to the challenge.
Injected onto the court in the second quarter, Klau immediately had an impact. On in goal keeper, she confused the space for the Jamaican opposition and in doing so created opportunities for her teammates to steal possession.
Ahead of that trip to Birmingham Klau reflected on how it felt to be a Diamond.
“I get to be part of this amazing group. I get to represent the players that came before me and continue that legacy and culture of the Diamonds,” she said,
“It’s extremely special and I’ve got big shoes to fill.”
Now, with 50 games under her belt and victories at netball's most pinnacle events there's no doubt that Klau has filled those shoes that came before her.
