By Stephanie Smarrelli
The Diamonds have capped off their last test series before the Commonwealth Games with three commanding wins against Jamaica.
Winning by an average of 37 goals, the Diamonds were clinical capitalising on an understrength Sunshine Girls.
Here are the key talking points from the series.
Are Jamaica still a threat?
In short, yes. Don't let the scoreboards fool you.
While the scores told one story, the ferocity on the court told another.
The Jamaicans never lacked effort, but they were without several of their stars, including Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Jodi-Ann Ward. The absences highlighting a stark difference between the two sides.
Sterling-Humphrey and Ward are expected to return before July’s Commonwealth Games, and Jamaica has not entirely ruled out Fowler-Nembhard, who is due to give birth in the coming months.
Should those stars rejoin the squad, the Sunshine Girls will look far more formidable.
It was only a few years ago that Jamaica stunned Australia at the Commonwealth Games before meeting again in the gold medal match.
A full strength Jamaica will be a challenge for the Diamonds.
They remain a side capable of rising to the occasion and will be threatening again come July.
Where Jamaica fell short against the Aussies across this series was in their decision-making under pressure and waning fitness, both areas they can address before the Games.
At times they rushed their ball movement, inviting turnovers, and struggled to convert opportunities. In game three, they managed to convert just 45 per cent of their centre passesand only four goals from 10 gains.
The absence of experienced campaigners was evident, though emerging talents such as Roxonna McLean showed promise.
Latanya Wilson was outstanding in defence and will be a key figure later this year, while Kadie-Ann Dehaney was managed with limited minutes on the court.
With reinforcements returning, Jamaica should not be underestimated.
Milestone women step up
The Jamaica Series was filled to the brim with milestones for the Aussie Diamonds.
Captain Liz Watson became just the sixth Diamond to hit 100 international test caps, marking the occasion with a performance to be remembered.
Watson took out both the CODE Sports Player of the Match and Series accolades.
She tallied 28 feeds and 18 goal assists during her 100th test in front of her hometown crowd in Melbourne.
Koenen was prolific throughout the series.
On the same day goaler Cara Koenen hit 50 test caps in the green and gold, delivering 23 goals at 92 per cent accuracy, with her trademark baseline drive on show.
Also hitting 50 test caps during the series was Kate Moloney. The Diamonds vice-captain celebrated the milestone over in Perth in match two.
She was a powerhouse in wing defence tallying five gains and three intercepts.
Is the Commonwealth Games team set?
If this series reinforced anything, it’s the depth of the Aussie squad.
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich made full use of her bench, experimenting with combinations across all three matches.
In game three, Georgie Horjus shifted into the goal circle while Kiera Austin moved to wing attack.
Moloney spent time in wing defence, and both ends of the court had regular rotations.
The approach gave players valuable experience both starting matches and impacting from the bench.
The different scenarios formed crucial preparation for the Commonwealth Games, where backing up day after day will make load management key.
There's no shortage of talent in the Aussie squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
There were a few untidy passages, but overall, the Diamonds looked cohesive and composed. While there are still refinements to make, the players selected for this series have strengthened their case to wear green and gold in July.
It’s hard to predict what will happen in a few months but if this group remains fit and at the top of their game across the Suncorp Super Netball season then it’ll be a real challenge for the wider Diamonds squad to break into the team before July.
