Aussie Diamonds squad gets youth injection, as world number one team begins prep for next World Cup

by Admin
June 6, 2024

A new generation of Diamonds has been welcomed into the national netball set-up as head coach Stacey Marinkovich sets her sights on a home World Cup in 2027.

Since the side won the trophy at the tournament in Cape Town last August, there have been multiple retirements, making way for some fresh faces in the 18-player squad.

Australia celebrates winning its 12th Netball World Cup in Cape Town. The major tournament will next be held in Sydney, Australia.(Getty Images: Ashley Vlotman)

Steph Fretwell and Ash Brazill left the international arena in style and their experience will be missed.

But there’s a buzz in the air as three players in their early 20s earn their first call-up: Hannah Mundy, Georgie Horjus and Ash Ervin.

Hannah Mundy is a Vixens midcourter bursting with energy.(Getty: Mark Metcalfe)

Alongside the 15 returning athletes, these young guns are likely to be a popular choice with fans.

The news comes as an early birthday present for Mundy, who turns 23 next week and is the daughter of three-time world champion Shelley O’Donnell.

Just like her mum, Mundy is a bona fide midcourter and has taken Super Netball by storm ever since she took the court in 2021 for the Melbourne Vixens as an injury replacement.

Stepping into the shoes of the Australian captain Liz Watson – widely regarded as the best wing attack in the game – was a pretty daunting task, but Mundy took the opportunity and ran with it to grow exponentially over the past four seasons.

She has played a variety of roles in the Vixens midcourt and gradually taken on more responsibility as time has gone on to own a starting position.

Hannah Mundy has held her own against tough opposition in Super Netball.(Getty: Paul Kane)

Now that Watson has moved on to play on the Sunshine Coast, that spot has become Mundy’s and the C / WA has proved she can be just as reliable as some of the more senior members in the side; playing well beyond her years.

In this Diamonds squad, she’ll get a chance to combine with plenty of her Vixens family – who dominate the list with five players: Mundy, Kate Moloney, Kiera Austin, Jo Weston and Sophie Garbin.

Those solid connections have likely played a part in her selection.

Then there’s 22-year-old Horjus, another brand-new midcourter for the Diamonds, who won the Super Netball title last year with the Adelaide Thunderbirds and offers Marinkovich an extra shooting option at goal attack.

Thunderbirds Georgie Horjus has been pivotal to the team’s attacking line.(Getty: Kelly Defina)

Last week, Horjus was ruled out of of round eight with a lower-leg injury, and it became blatantly obvious how much her team rely on her crafty work up front.

Often acting as the linchpin in their attack, Horjus brings a unique aspect to the national set-up as a player who can genuinely swing across the WA and GA bib with equal strength and X factor.

Her form this year in Super Netball has been outstanding and as a result, it felt like she was an obvious player knocking on the door for Diamonds selection.

The South Australian state will be proud to see another one of its local talents get a crack at the international level, especially so early in her career.

Ervin has put on some amazing performances in Super Netball 2024.(Getty: Jason McCawley)

Lastly, 21-year-old defender Ervin is another hot pick for the national team.

At 192cm tall, her wingspan is a real asset as well as her vertical leap and off-line style of play that sees her come out flying for intercepts.

In a previous Super Netball Round-Up, we strongly advised the Australian selectors to snap up Ervin as soon as possible to harness her raw talent. Now they’ve done just that.

Ervin only made her domestic debut last year with the Lightning and decided to stick around this season as the club welcomed Diamonds starting GK Courtney Bruce.

Bruce has 79 Test caps to her name and has already made a huge influence on Ervin’s game, giving her tips and tricks to match-up against the world’s best shooters playing as imports in the league.

Ash Ervin and Donnell Wallam challenge for the ball in the Queensland derby.(Getty: Albert Perez)

A fortnight ago, Ervin earned a Player of the Match award against the Queensland Firebirds, finishing the game with 11 gains, four intercepts, nine deflections and four rebounds.

Somehow, she did this without Bruce beside her, who was out with injury, and while only conceding seven penalties in an entire 60 minutes.

We also wonder how much of an impact her performance in round eight against five-time Super Netball MVP Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard cemented the decision for selectors. Ervin got the better of the seasoned shooter in the second quarter and finished the match with five gains, two intercepts and four deflections – a sign of great things to come.

Stacey Marinkovich helped the Diamonds win back the World Cup trophy and Commonwealth Games gold medal in the last cycle.(AAP: James Ross)

“Whilst they continue to shape their craft each one of these players has challenged the world’s best athletes in Super Netball this year,” Marinkovich said.

“We’re looking forward to harnessing their skill sets and embedding them within the broader Australian Diamonds culture and style of play.

“We’ve been incredibly impressed with the standard of Super Netball this year and with the development coming through Netball Australia’s pathway programs including Fast5.”

Of course, with selection comes happy news for some and sad news for others.

Alongside the retirements of Steph Fretwell and Ash Brazill, NSW Swifts midcourter Maddy Proud and Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran have dropped out of the squad.

Maddy Proud was a stand-out at the pre-season Team Girls Cup.(Getty: Mark Metcalfe)

Both players were on the fringe last year and their chances have probably been hampered due to a dip in form by their clubs.

Dominating at the pre-season Team Girls Cup, it looked as if Swifts co-captain Proud was going to have a great season, but after her team’s hot and cold start a knee complaint has now ruled her out for the past four rounds.

It’s unlikely the injury has influenced the decision entirely, as others still maintained their spot despite missing games, but the rise of clinical superstars Mundy and Horjus have probably just edged her out of Marinkovich’s plans.

Ruby Bakewell-Doran was a travelling reserve with the Diamonds in Cape Town.(AAP: James Gourley)

If there’s any player that could feel hard done by, it’s probably Bakewell-Doran – who has done a ton of work at the back trying to keep her team in the fight each week.

The Firebirds are battling to avoid the wooden spoon this year, but Bakewell-Doran was also one of the three World Cup reserves in Cape Town, which you think would stand for something.

Marinkovich also had the option to name up to 22 players and has decided to stick with 18. One less than she named in her 19 last year.

Meanwhile, former Diamond Emily Mannix (six caps) and upcoming shooter Lucy Austin have been named as camp invitees.

These players won’t receive a national contract but have been recognised for their form either in Super Netball this season or at previous Fast 5 World Series.