By Stephanie Smarrelli
If this tournament proved one thing, it's that there are no easy games in international netball anymore.
Australia missed the gold medal match for the first time; Jamaica broke through to their second gold medal clash and New Zealand ended a 16-year drought.
The days of one or two teams dominating world netball are over.
Here are the biggest talking points from the tournament.
Netball is more competitive than ever
If there’s one storyline that defined this tournament, this was it.
The Diamonds walked away with bronze, marking the first time the Aussies haven’t featured in the gold medal match.
The Semi Final against Jamaica was one of the most entertaining and hotly contested matches of the Games.
Jamaica has been knocking on the door for years.
After falling short against the Diamonds in Birmingham in the battle for gold, the Sunshine Girls arrived with a point to prove - and prove it they did.
It was a heartbreaking way to lose, but it also showed just how ruthless international netball has become. One goal or one mistake can be the difference between playing for gold and finishing with bronze.
Speaking of the gold medal match, New Zealand and Jamaica put on a show.
Jamaica went through to their second Commonwealth Games gold medal match in a row .
The Silver Ferns stamped their authority late in the game, claiming gold for the first time since 2010, after finishing third in Birmingham and fourth on the Gold Coast.
England also has plenty to be excited about.
While the Roses fell to the Diamonds in the bronze medal match, 10 members of the squad made their Commonwealth Games debut.
The same can be said for fifth-placed South Africa, who pushed the Diamonds during the pool stages, led by the attacking brilliance of Elmeré van der Berg.
And it wasn't just the top teams closing the gap.
Uganda pushed the eventual gold medallists all the way before going down by just eight goals, while Scotland came within two goals of Jamaica.
The results reinforce one clear message: the gap between netball's traditional powerhouses and the rest of the world is closing rapidly.
Games debutants shine
Bronze might not have been the colour Australia was chasing, but there were still plenty of positives to come out of the campaign.
The biggest one?
The performances of their debutants.
The Diamonds travelled to Glasgow with five players who had yet to make their Commonwealth Games debut, and they all stepped up to the challenge throughout the competition.
Jamie-Lee Price stamped her authority early against Tonga, Matilda Garrett made her presence felt against England, Georgie Horjus was phenomenal against Malawi, Sophie Dwyer shone against Northern Ireland and Sophie Garbin was prolific throughout the tournament, particularly in the bronze medal match.
Five Australian Diamonds played in their first Commonwealth Games.
Every one of Australia's Commonwealth Games debutants had their moment, giving the Diamonds plenty to build on ahead of next year's Netball World Cup.
Aussie umpires earn gold medal appointment
While the Diamonds missed out on the gold medal match, Australia was still represented in the tournament’s biggest game.
Georgina Sulley-Beales and Bronwen Adams umpired the Games’ pinnacle clash while fellow Aussie Justin Barnes was named as the reserve umpire.
The all-Australian umpiring team was another reminder of the depth of talent Australia has, not just on the court, but with the whistle in hand as well.
Glasgow marked the first time Australian umpires have been eligible to umpire the gold medal match. The Diamonds featuring in the bronze clash opened the door as umpires aren’t able to officiate games their home country is playing in.
All eyes on the Constellation Cup
This year’s Commonwealth Games marked the second consecutive Games where Australia and New Zealand didn’t meet during the tournament.
Meaning attention will be on both sides when they meet at this year’s Constellation Cup, only a couple of months away.
Last year, it was the Diamonds who were victorious, but it took an extra 14 minutes of play to split the teams with both sides winning two clashes each in the four-match series.
With next year's Netball World Cup fast approaching, every match between the rivals will carry extra significance.
The Diamonds will next face New Zealand in the Constellation Cup.
The Ferns will head into the series full of confidence off the back of their Commonwealth Games gold while the Diamonds will be determined to bounce back and prove they’re still the world’s best.
Sam Heughan: the Diamonds’ biggest fan
No list of talking points from the Games would be complete without mentioning the Diamonds’ biggest fan Sam Heughan.
The Aussies went searching for the Scottish actor who is famous for playing Jamie Fraser in Outlander and he didn’t disappoint.
The star surprised the team after the medal presentation, capping off a memorable Games for the Diamonds.
Sam, if you’re ever in Australia and need tickets hit us up...or grab yourself a Diamonds membership.
Imagery provided by Netball Scoop: Jodie Dent images
