In the lead up to what's sure to be one of the most hotly contested Netball World Cup's ever, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander and her selection panel would have had one of their toughest selection's to date. Culling their 19-player Diamonds squad to just 12 ahead of the World Cup, many big names will have missed the cut, while there's sure to be at least one or two shock selections.
After five rounds of Super Netball action, and taking into international experience, we've put together the Diamonds World Cup squad we expect Alexander to name in coming days.
Diamonds World Cup Squad:
Starting line-up:
GS: Caitlin Bassett (C): Is there any doubt Bassett won't make the World Cup squad? Despite a slow start to the Super Netball season due to an elbow injury that kept her sidelined for 10 weeks over the summer, Bassett is one player who's almost certain to make the squad and retain her captaincy position. One of the best goal shooters in the world, Lisa Alexander would be hard pressed to find any reasoning for dropping her star goaler. The only current Australian squad member to have earned over 50 caps, Bassett's experience will be crucial for her side in claiming back-to-back World Cup titles.
GA: Gretel Tippett: Gretel Tippett takes out the starting GA role because of her experience in the position in the Diamonds latest Quad Series and her extra height gives her feeders plenty to work with. With only 26 Test caps she still has more experience at international level than any other GA squad member. Her position is no certainty though with Steph Wood pushing for the starting role, but after becoming the first Australian player to shoot 100 straight goals in SN, Alexander is sure to put her trust in the Queenslander.
WA: Liz Watson: Culling the 19-player squad to just 12 was always going to be difficult, but in the midcourt it'll be especially so. Watson may not have the outright pace that Kelsey Browne brings to the court, but Watson's dynamic movement and accurate feeds into the circle make her one of the best choices for the wing position. One of the strongest attacks in SN in the opening five rounds, Watson's feeding has been instrumental in the Vixens' strong start to the season, while she also provides another option in centre. With experience in both roles on the international stage, Watson is a level head that brings accuracy and patience to the midcourt.
C: Kate Moloney: Alongside her Vixens teammate, Maloney has truly impressed this SN season and brings a levelheadedness to the young Diamonds side. With only six Test caps, Moloney will be one of the least experienced players in the side, but her combination with Vixens teammate Watson should prove hard to beat through the midcourt.
WD: Gabi Simpson: While she may not have been the standout WD in the opening rounds of SN, Simpson is still one of the most experienced Diamonds squad members with 40 caps to her name. Suffering a groin injury over the past few weeks, Simpson hasn't been at her best, but pulled out an impressive performance in her side's loss to the Thunderbirds on Sunday. Always an inspirational player whenever she takes the court, she always finds an extra gear and lifts her teammates through rough patches.
GD: Jo Weston: In a fiercely contested position, Weston's international experience will win her out the starting defence role after a somewhat quiet start to the SN season. While in no way underdone so far this year, Weston hasn't made quite the same noise as fellow Vixens teammate Emily Mannix or Swifts keeper Klau, but with Commonwealth Games experience and her tenacity and hard work off the ball, she's sure to have caught selectors' eyes.
GK: Courtney Bruce: Sidelined through an elbow injury from the first round until she took the court in round 5, Bruce has had little time to make an impression on selectors, but her experience on the international stage is sure to outweigh her absence on court over the past month. One of the most dominant keepers in the world, Bruce showed just how good she can be in her return to the court on Saturday, taking eight gains and four intercepts, while her international record will weigh heavily in her favour.
Diamonds' bench:
GS: Caitlin Thwaites: Always the bridesmaid never the bride, like usual Thwaites is likely to be relegated to the bench behind Bassett despite how impressive the 32-year-old has been so far in SN. Hard to dislodge from under the post, Thwaites is one of the best at securing a hold while her movement around the circle makes her a threat to any opposition.
WA/C: Paige Hadley: After a long absence from the Diamonds side Hadley has easily earned her place in the World Cup squad after stepping up at a pre-season Diamonds squad camp and again during the SN season. Hardly taking a backward step so far this year, Hadley has been in the form of her life as she leads her Swifts side to the top of the SN ladder for the first time. Don't be surprised if she's pushed her way into the Diamonds starting seven. Unfortunately for the likes of Jamie-Lee Price and Ash Brazill, they're unlikely to push their way into the World Cup squad, despite how impressive they've been so far in 2019.
GK/GD: Sarah Klau: With no Test caps to her name, Klau will be one of the least experienced players in the tournament and will have to work hard to repay the faith of Alexander and the selectors if she's to make the squad. While Alexander has stated previously international experience will play a large role in the selection process, it would be difficult to ignore all the hard work Klau has put in on the court in 2019. Named in the pre-season Diamonds squad, Klau had clearly impressed Alexander in 2018 and is sure to have done so again in 2019.
GK/GD: Emily Mannix: Another position that would have selectors tearing their hair out, with so many solid defenders making an impression in SN this year, Mannix has been one of the standouts of 2019. With just six caps, Mannix doesn't have a lot of experience behind her but her talent speaks for itself with the second most deflections of the SN so far in 2019 and would be unlucky to miss out on a starting position.