Unmissable battles: Con Cup

By Stephanie Smarrelli

Netball’s biggest rivalry is about to hit the court again. 

You won’t want to miss a second of the 15th edition of the Constellation Cup. 

The Origin Diamonds have a point to prove against New Zealand’s Silver Ferns. 
 
Having lost last year’s Con Cup three games to one, they’ll be fired up. 
 
Both teams recently completed clean sweeps against South Africa and will be raring to go. 
 
And with the Kiwis set to invade SSN next season, the Con Cup is a chance to get a glimpse of the fierce battles to come. 
 
Here’s the match ups you can’t miss. 

 
Sophie Garbin vs Kelly Jackson 
 
Garbin heads into the series in stellar form with an average shooting percentage of 94 against South Africa. 

Expect her to go head-to-head with one of the world’s most formidable defenders, Kelly Jackson. 

In last year’s Con Cup, Jackson averaged four deflections a match (total 17) and three gains (total 13).  
 
Meanwhile Garbin was accurate under the post slotting 105 goals across the series at an average accuracy of 94 per cent. 

Both players are unstoppable when they’re at their best and with Jackson joining the Firebirds next SSN season, the focus on this battle is only going to intensify.  
 

Liz Watson vs Kate Heffernan 

Two of the world’s best midcourters will collide during the Con Cup. 

Watson has the ball on a string for the Diamonds; her leadership and experience shine every time she steps onto the court. 

But if there’s one thing Heffernan is good at, it’s disrupting the play. 

The Silver Fern isn’t afraid to put her body on the line, and her long reach applies pressure to every pass. 

With the versatility to switch quickly from defence to attack she’s a key cog in the Ferns line-up. 

But that won’t daunt the Aussie captain who is calm under pressure. 
 
During last year’s Con Cup, Heffernan tallied seven deflections, five gains and two intercepts but also contributed 15 goal assists and 22 feeds. 
 
While Watson collected 117 feeds, 55 goal assists and five deflections.  
 
The duo will be locked in a wrestle throughout the series and with Heffernan signing with the Thunderbirds for 2026, it’ll be a match up fans can expect to only heat up. 
 

Courtney Bruce vs Grace Nweke 

The contest between Bruce and Nweke continues to go up a notch every time they meet on court. 

Whether they be in their national colours or SSN uniforms, neither player gives an inch to the other. 

In last year’s Con Cup, Nweke was a force to be reckoned with 169 goals at 94 per cent accuracy. 

The 23-year-old was first to every rebound tallying 11 throughout the series. 

But in the last match of the series Bruce was at her best, a thorn in the side of the Ferns she tallied four gains, two intercepts and four deflections to give the Aussies an edge. 

It’ll be that performance against Nweke she’ll be looking to replicate and build on when they meet again. 

And Bruce heads into the battle fresh after two strong outings against South Africa.