By Stephanie Smarrelli
With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games looming, the Origin Diamonds are set to come up against their foe from the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal match.
Jamaica.
But this time, they’ll be on Aussie soil, with the Sunshine Girls to take on the Diamonds in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne this week.
Here’s the key battles across the court to keep your eye on.
Georgie Horjus vs Latanya Wilson
Adelaide Thunderbirds teammates Georgie Horjus and Latanya Wilson are set to meet in opposing colours for the first time during the Jamaica Series.
Wilson has cemented her place as one of the world’s best defenders, tallying 97 deflections and 41 intercepts throughout the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season.
But if there’s one Origin Diamond who knows how she steals possession, it’s Horjus.
The 24-year-old has plenty of experience training against Wilson week in, week out and will know what she’s capable of producing.
Horjus finished the 2025 SSN season with 228 goal assists and 49 goals at 74 per cent accuracy.
The battle between Horjus and Wilson will be scintillating. The series against Jamaica presents a chance for Horjus to put her case forward for Commonwealth Games selection, expect her to come out ready to make a statement.
Wilson, meanwhile, will be determined to run riot as the Sunshine Girls build towards going one better at this year’s Games.
Jo Weston vs Shanice Beckford
While we’re on the topic of pocket-rocket goalers, Jamaican Shanice Beckford will be one to watch throughout the series.
Beckford is Jamaica’s most capped player this series and will lead the side against the Diamonds.
During the 2025 SSN season she tallied 170 goal assists, but she’ll be challenged without her usual shooting partner Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
Adding to the challenge will be the opposition, particularly if Jo Weston lines up beside her on the transverse line.
The pair last went head-to-head in the SSN Grand Final, a match Weston dominated from start to finish.
Weston was a pest, giving Beckford little room to work with as her defensive pressure suffocated the Fever attack.
Beckford will lead the Sunshine Girls during the series.The Diamonds’ ability to create a pressure cooker situation if the matches are tight will be critical to winning the series and no one leads that charge better than Weston.
Jamie-Lee Price vs Nicole Dixon-Rochester
Another key matchup to watch will be 2025 Liz Ellis Diamond Jamie-Lee Price and Jamaica’s Nicole Dixon-Rochester.
When the two sides last met at the 2023 Netball World Cup, the Jamaican midcourter tallied 11 goal assists, with Price recording eight.
Both midcourters play with a bit of defensive flair and can turn the ball over for their teammates when the opportunity arises.
Price enters the series in strong form, having delivered impressive international performances late last year, playing a total of 393 minutes of a possible 434 across seven test matches.
Her 2025 SSN season was equally outstanding, finishing with 444 feeds, 217 goal assists, 19 deflections and eight intercepts.
She’ll pose a significant challenge for Jamaica but that’s exactly the sort of contest they’ll relish as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games.
Dixon-Rochester returns to the Jamaican side after a stint on the sidelines, having welcomed a new addition to her family.
The 30-year-old will be integral to the Sunshine Girls’ midcourt and was a standout on the biggest stage named Most Valuable Player in Jamaica’s bronze medal victory against New Zealand at the 2023 Netball World Cup
There’s no doubt she’ll look to come out firing against the Aussies and Price will test her every step of the way.
