After their successful 2023 Netball World Cup campaign, the Diamonds are returning to the international arena. National coach Stacey Marinkovich sat down with Netball Scoop ahead of the four test Constellation Cup series, and three matches against South Africa.
Now that some time has passed, how do you reflect on the Netball World Cup?
As we’ve come back together, we’ve started to grasp how great that moment was, and all the hard work that went into it. To see the success come to life is something that we are really, really proud of.
The combination of new faces that have come into camp, alongside the group that went through it together, has brought such great energy as we look at how we continue to evolve the Diamonds, as opposed to rebuilding the Diamonds.
You were quite open about setting big goals at the start of your tenure as Diamonds’ coach. Now that you’ve achieved success within the most recent four year cycle, how do you establish your goals for the next?
We haven’t sat down as an entire squad to set what our vision is going forwards, as we’ve had such a quick turnaround, firstly making sure that players had a well-earned rest, and now the build in to this tournament. As a result the focus is on playing in the present, the here and now.
We’ve had a shift in players with Steph (Wood) and Ash (Brazill) retiring, so we will have a different dynamic. We will take everything we’ve learned over the past four years, as well as look at what we are building towards in the future, and that makes it really exciting.
Australia during the national anthem at the 2023 Netball World Cup. Image Danny Dalton
The Diamonds’ athletes speak openly about being able to play to their strengths, rather than being pigeonholed into a game plan. So with a change in personnel, can we expect to see a shift in how the Diamonds’ play, or just minor tweaks?
There’s always a foundation to how we want to play, but our game plan adapts to the strengths of the individuals who come into it. It isn’t a dictatorship and the players don’t have to fit a mould. It’s quite the opposite.
I think we saw that when we changed our shooting circle with Gretel (Bueta) in the team last year, and then when we rotated our players last year through the Con Cup and the England series without her. So there’s enough flexibility with the way we want to play the game.
The biggest thing is cohesion – to make sure an individual’s strengths are accentuated by their combination with those around them.
Your shooting end is the least experienced section of the court, and that will change further with Steph’s retirement. What can we expect?
It’s important that when we come together, we look at what Ash and Steph brought to the court, and how that might change.
That’s the part where our leadership group will need to step up as a collective. It’s reinforcement of the shared ownership across the group, that even if we have someone else across the wing defence position, there’s still the same amount of voice and leadership that’s going to come with calling our game plan and recognition of key moments.
In our attacking line we know that Steph was a real play maker, so it’s allowing people the freedom to get their connections with each other, and have their own style of leadership. We aren’t looking to replace Steph – what we are doing is trying to bring out the strengths of those who we have now.
Sophie Dwyer has been elevated to the team after being in the squad for a couple of years now. What can we expect from her?
She has been here for a couple of years but she’s only 22 and still evolving her game. You will still see a goal attack with a mid-range shot, she’s confident, she wants to put up volume. The connection that she has with our wing attacks will be her greatest area of growth, and something we’ve been targeting. It’s going to be really exciting to see how she’s taken on that feedback and how she combines with the others.
Sophie Dwyer in her debut match against New Zealand. Image Nicole Mudgway
You’re about to have a week long training camp at the AIS. What’s been taking place in the background since the athletes have returned from the Netball World Cup?
We haven’t been able to bring the group together in its entirety for a long period of time, but the girls have made sure they are doing their skills and physical preparation, so that once they come into camp we are able to focus on team connection.
Liz Watson and Steph Wood were a great leadership team, and you are now in need of a new vice-captain. When will that be announced?
We will have our vice-captain named for the Constellation Cup, and we are also going through our selection for the South African series. As we finish this camp at the AIS, we will make sure that team is finalised so everyone knows what their next part of training is, and how long they need to keep training for. Some aren’t in the Con Cup, but will need to stay in performance mode for the next series.
What are your selection criteria for the South African series – will you be resting some players after a long season, and giving opportunities to others?
You still have to earn the dress to step into the Diamonds. Anyone we select has to have shown the skill sets and connections to step out on court and produce the standard of netball that is what the Diamonds is all about. Certainly, we will look through where the group is at, but we do have great depth and versatility.
We won’t be making wholesale changes, but as we progress towards big marquee events in the future, it’s important to drip feed players into the Diamonds’ environment. To make sure players entering the group have strength and experience around them, making sure we are being realistic, and are exploring options within our training environment.
You’ve named four rising stars as invitees. What is your purpose in having them at the Diamonds’ camp?
Each of them have made impact at different points within the Suncorp Super Netball season, and have grabbed the attention of the selectors. They have attributes which resonate with the Diamonds’ game plan.
We are bringing them in, seeing what transfers from their club environment to the national level, and working out what their development plan is and how they can keep evolving their game in connection with the current group. While this camp is a condensed period, we are looking at their growth and development, and also giving them an insight into what is expected, and then seeing if it transfers. There is room in the squad to add players, if it does.
With Courtney Bruce, Sarah Klau and Jo Weston all 29, it makes sense to bring another defender into the mix, particularly a goal keeper. The Diamonds also have a dynamic attacking end using ball speed in and around the circle. What are the key attributes these four players bring?
Ash Ervin – for someone so young who has just stepped out on the SSN court, she had an impact on the ball and was able to get hand to it. At 192 cm Ash has a height presence out on court, she’s rangy but she also has the mobility a big keeper at the back needs. We think we can grow the potential she has shown.
Alice Teague-Neeld – she has been a dominant wing attack in terms of feeding volume, her ability to get to the circle’s edge and the athleticism to create play, so we are excited to see what she does with a different dynamic and a moving circle, and how that ball speed can be of benefit to the Diamonds.
Hannah Mundy – is a very dynamic, powerful athlete. She’s been around a netball court for a very long time, has great insight to the game, and has got knowledge beyond her years. It will be great to see how she adapts and shifts in some situations. Her physical attributes and how she hits the circle edge will be crucial to her going forwards.
Tippah Dwan – it’s great to have her back in the environment. She’s shown some great consistency through her contribution to the Thunderbirds success this year. She’s mobile, can provide a defensive element, go to post, and also work with a shooter who is on the move. So, how does she transfer those qualities into our environment?
Looking at the Constellation Cup, the Silver Ferns have had a difficult 12 month period, results wise. What are you expecting from them?
We are really excited to play New Zealand, because we haven’t played them in the last two marquee events, and it’s the traditional rivalry of our sport. So when we do step out on court against each other, there’s another level of physicality, dynamic movement, and passion.
We also need to recognise the Silver Ferns missed Grace (Nweke) at the World Cup. International netball is so close, and her loss meant their result was not a true reflection of where their programme is at. Having seen the Taini Jamison series, they have picked up their performance. We haven’t had dominance over them, particularly in New Zealand, in a short while, so will have to be at our very best to get the results.
Australia plays its 500th international game in Brisbane. It’s such a milestone, and being able to play against New Zealand and that traditional rivalry is something incredibly special, especially when the two countries have been driving netball in the world for some time.
New Zealand Silver Ferns after the January 2023 Quad Series. Image: Skhu Nkomphela
The Kelpies (Australian Men’s team) will also be on court during the Constellation Cup. How have you seen the connection between them and the Diamonds?
As any sport evolves, we need to make sure it’s inclusive. There’s been some really strong men’s netball competitions around Australia. We’ve utilised and had the benefits of the men’s programme in helping us prepare for different tournaments. So being on the road with them and having that connection, it shows that netball is evolving as well, and anyone, anywhere can play the game.
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in doubt, is there any talk behind the scenes about what might replace it if necessary, because four years is a long time between World Cups.
It was spoken about when we were at the World Cup, and I think there would be something put in place if needed. For all intents and purposes, there still is confidence that the Commonwealth Games will go ahead, so it’s a waiting game to see what unfolds. But any opportunity to play we will take it.
How have the recent pay disputes impacted the Diamonds?
The Diamonds are contracted, that’s all in place and they are being well supported at this level.
While the timing isn’t great, or the length of time it’s taking isn’t the best for anyone, having robust discussions will make sure they get the best possible decision and everyone can move forwards.
*All matches can be viewed on Kayo Freebies
The Kelpies defeated New Zealand in the last Trans Tasman tournament. Captain Dylan Nexhip holds the trophy, with Alistair Punchon (left) and Dan Carter (right) looking on. Image May Bailey I Clusterpix
