Players to watch: Diamonds vs Roses

By Stephanie Smarrelli 

 
The Origin Diamonds are raring to go on home soil against the England Roses. 

The teams will travel to Adelaide, Sydney and Bendigo for the three-match series, which marks the first time the two teams have met since January. 

And it comes just a little over a year since the Diamonds crushed the Roses in the 2023 World Cup final.  

There’s no doubt both teams are stacked with some of the world’s best netballers.  From potential debuts to international stars, these are the players to look out for. 
 

AUSTRALIA 
 
Ash Ervin – Defender 

There’s a plethora of potential debutants for the Diamonds this series but whether or not they step foot on court, only head coach Stacey Marinkovich really knows.  

One youngster putting her hand up for selection is Ash Ervin. 

The Sunshine Coast Lightning young gun earned her call up into the squad following a breakout season in Suncorp Super Netball. 

The defender finished the season among the league’s top players with 20 intercepts and 77 deflections. 
 
Ervin’s game smarts and timing to steal the ball is exciting to watch and there’s no doubt she’ll be ready to make an impact on the international stage when the time comes.  

Kate Moloney – Midcourt 

Speaking of stellar SSN seasons, midcourter Kate Moloney was unstoppable. 

Whether it was in wing attack, centre or wing defence, Moloney knew her role and played it. 

A statement that rings true when she steps onto the court in the green and gold.  

35 test caps and counting, Moloney is a ruthless leader in the Diamonds midcourt consistently putting her body on the line to chase down a ball. 

Her strong connection with Diamonds captain Liz Watson is an asset to the side despite the two playing for different SSN teams this year, their connection will still be strong on court.

Last time Moloney came up against the Roses, the midcourter shut down England’s midcourt and kept star Imogen Allison to just four feeds in 15 minutes of play. 

Moloney’s ability to shut down her opponents will be crucial against the Roses.  

Sophie Garbin – Goaler 

Who could forget the masterclass Garbin put on in last year’s Netball World Cup final? 

Certainly not England. 

Garbin was a woman on a mission and her strength under post has continued to grow since then. 

Last time Garbin went head-to-head with the Roses in this year’s Netball Nations Cup she was lethal shooting at an accuracy of 96 per cent. 

She’s in career best form and her connection to fellow Diamonds shooter Kiera Austin has only grown with the duo spending their first season of SSN together at the Vixens. 

Having fallen just short of a premiership this year, Garbin will be determined to come out firing against the Roses to claim the series. 

ROSES 
 

Funmi Fadoju – Defender 

It’s hard to look past Funmi Fadoju when she takes to the court. 

The 22-year-old has natural talent in spades, she was the standout defender in the UK’s Super League throughout 2024 convincingly topping the charts for intercepts, deflections and gains. 

Fadoju’s prowess on the international stage is still in its infancy with the defender primed to be one of the world’s best as she continues to notch international test caps. 

Although her impact against the Aussies at this year’s Netball Nations Cup was limited to one gain, one intercept and six deflections across two matches, expect the youngster to build into the series. 

Flexible to cover all three positions in defence, Fadoju has the power to turn a game on its head when she gets on a roll.  

Imogen Allison – Midcourter 

With Allison on her way to the Queensland Firebirds in SSN, this series is a great opportunity for Aussie fans to get a glimpse of what’s to come. 

The zippy midcourter is one of the Roses’ best players, with strength and agility to break free of an opponent, Allison is a key playmaker for the side. 

She’s come off the back of a stellar season in the UK Super League with 281 feeds and was prolific when she last played Australia in the Netball Nations Cup. 

Olivia Tchine – Goaler 

While it’ll undoubtedly be the shooting duo of Eleanor Cardwell and Helen Housby who dominate the goal circle fans should keep an eye on another Rose rising through the ranks Olivia Tchine. 

Tchine is among the top shooters in the UK Super League and with just 15 international caps to her name, her best is yet to come. 

The 23-year-old is accurate to post, shooting at 92 per cent during the Super League season. 

With teams building towards the 2027 Netball World Cup, this series might be the perfect opportunity for Roses’ head coach Jess Thirlby to give Tchine a solid run with Diamonds stalwart defenders Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston unavailable for the series due to injury. 

Tchine has only played two minutes against Australia in the past meaning she’ll be a fresh challenge for the Diamonds if she takes to the court.