By Stephanie Smarrelli
Matilda Garrett couldn't hold back the tears when the phone finally rang.
After nervously waiting for the call she'd been dreaming about, the Australian defender learned she had been selected for her first Commonwealth Games with the Australian Diamonds.
Fresh off helping the Adelaide Thunderbirds claim a third premiership in four seasons, Garrett will now pull on the green and gold for the biggest tournament of her career so far.
“I instantly cried,” Garrett said.
“It was so special, but I was so nervous before taking the phone call because we get given the time that we're going to get the call.
“I cannot wait for the Commonwealth Games, it's really cool that we're not only there representing the Diamonds, we're there representing the Australian Commonwealth Games team.
“I'm really excited to go over, support the other sports and play in my first really big netball event.”
The milestone became even more meaningful when Adelaide Thunderbirds teammate Georgie Horjus was also named in the squad, allowing the close friends to share one of the biggest moments of their careers together.
“I FaceTimed her and she could tell that I'd been crying, and I could tell that she'd been crying,” Garrett recalled.
"It’s a dream come true for both of us, I never thought I would even make the Diamonds so to be going to a Commonwealth Games is an absolute pinch-me moment.
Garrett is thrilled to have Thunderbirds' teammate Georgie Horjus also in the team.
“To be doing it alongside one of your best mates, I don't think it gets much better than that.
“Our families are both going to be there; they get along really well and I'm so proud of her.
“I see how hard she works every single day; it was a really special moment we got to share when we both called each other.”
While Garrett will line up alongside Horjus in green and gold, she'll also come up against several familiar faces from Suncorp Super Netball.
The defender believes competing and training against the world's best every week has prepared her well for the challenge ahead.
“SSN experience is such a positive going into the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
“A lot of the goal attacks and goal shooters I've played against before so that definitely gives you a little bit of confidence that you have played them and know some of their traits.
“You know some of the things they're really good at and some of the things that might work well.
“I'm keen to match up against the likes of El [Elmeré van der Berg].
“That'll be fun playing against her; when we cross that line, I don't think we'll be friends.”
Garrett is excited for her first Commonwealth Games campaign.
Garrett acknowledged how quickly fellow Thunderbird van der Berg, who will be representing South Africa, can switch into game mode.
“She's very, very funny,” Garrett said.
“She keeps a very straight face on the court, so some people probably think she's angry the whole time, but she's got her game face on.
“Off the court, she's hilarious and a jokester but we both know, even at training that as soon as you're on the court I’m trying to beat her and she's trying to beat me.”
With the Diamonds set to play England, South Africa, Malawi, Tonga and Northern Ireland in the pool rounds of the Games, there’s one match Garrett is most looking forward to.
“England is our second game, it's always a tough battle against them,” Garrett said.
“They're going to be really strong in our pool, but you can never underestimate all the other teams.
“They've got players that play in Suncorp Super Netball, there’s some talented up-and-coming players too.
“We'll never underestimate a team, but England will come in hot.”
Garrett says she's eager to bring the strengths that earned her selection to the international stage.
Garrett believes England will be tough in the pool games.
“The best thing about this environment is they want us to bring our strengths and incorporate it into the game plan,” she said.
“For me that’s my hard one-on-one defence, trying to win as much ball as possible and then being a safe option to bring it down the court to get some more goals.”
For all the excitement of competing at her first Commonwealth Games, Garrett is equally looking forward to sharing the experience with her teammates away from the court.
"I've never been to Glasgow, I'm doing a bit of a trip after through Europe so I’m looking forward to the travelling aspect and spending time with these great girls.
“I compete against them week in, week out so it's nice that we're on the same team and can get to know each other a bit more.”
The tears that greeted Garrett's long-awaited phone call have now given way to anticipation.
After helping the Thunderbirds to another premiership, she's ready for the next chapter, representing Australia on one of the sport's biggest stages.
