Seven players with Victorian connections have been named in the Origin Australian Diamonds team that will face Jamacia in February.
Victoria has a strong representation in the squad, with four of the 12 players coming from the Melbourne Vixens, alongside players from the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Melbourne Mavericks.
Vixens’ Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin will combine in attack, while Jo Weston and Thunderbird defender Matilda Garrett will form a key part of the Diamonds defense - Garrett, who was raised in Victoria, came through the state’s elite netball pathways.
Vixens captain and Diamonds vice-captain Kate Moloney will be joined in the midcourt by Diamonds captain Liz Watson and the Melbourne Mavericks newest recruit Jaimee Lee Price, with the experienced trio set to provide leadership, drive and consistency through the centre of the court.
Moving through the Netball Victoria pathways, multiple of the Australian Diamonds players have been involved in the Victorian Netball League:
Matilda Garret (Boroondara Express)
Liz Watson and Kate Moloney (City West Falcons)
Jo Weston (Melbourne University Lightning)
Jaimee-Lee Price, Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin came though interstate pathways but proudly represent our Victorian teams.
Captain Liz Watson will become the sixth Diamond to reach 100 international games, with the landmark likely to be celebrated in Melbourne if she takes the court in all three tests. Meanwhile, Kate Moloney is on track to reach 50 international appearances, potentially hitting the milestone in the second test.
Victorian fans can watch the team in action live on the international stage:
Game 1 – Thursday 5 February
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Game 2 – Sunday 8 February
RAC Arena, Perth
Game 3 – Wednesday 11 February
John Cain Area, Melbourne
Book tickets now
“After a strong international test series against South Africa and New Zealand last year, I am excited to see what the team can bring out onto the court against world No.3 ranked Jamacia,” said Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich.
“Coming up against Jamacia will be a significant test as we continue to build towards this year’s pinnacle event the Commonwealth Games.
“We hope to see packed stadiums in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne as we set our sights on Glasgow.”
Every match of the Diamonds’ International Test Series will be available with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
Jamaica Series team
Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)
Courtney Bruce (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Western Australia)
Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens/Western Australia)
Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Victoria)
Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Jamie-Lee Price (Melbourne Mavericks/New South Wales)
Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Victoria)
Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
