Australian Diamonds name squad to chase netball gold medal at Glasgow Commonwealth Games - 𝓣𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽

Sophie Garbin had a déjà vu moment a few weeks ago.

The Melbourne Vixens goal shooter was waiting for a call from Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich to find out whether she’d be in the squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

The Australian Diamonds squad for the Commonwealth Games was announced on Wednesday. Simon Schluter

“It was funny because four years ago I was waiting for the same phone call, quite nervous, and it was a pretty sad one because I got cut,” she told this masthead.

“So to get the phone call and be on the different side of it this time was really nice.”

Garbin is one of five Australian netballers set to make their Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow next month as the team chases another gold medal.

The 12-player Diamonds squad was confirmed on Wednesday at Melbourne Sport Aquatic Centre, with captain Liz Watson to lead the side alongside defenders Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce who will mark their third Commonwealth Games.

Comonwealth Games debutant Sophie Garbin Simon Schluter

Jamie-Lee Price is among the newcomers, with Sophie Dwyer, Matilda Garrett and Georgie Horjus also making their debuts.

Coach Marinkovich said the phone calls to the debutants were very emotional.

“I think sometimes you forget just how big the Commonwealth Games is, and you know how much they’ve been striving towards this for four years,” she said.

“[In] those conversations there were tears, there was some silence, and then just laughter, and [a] very surreal kind of atmosphere. But I think that’s a privilege of the coach, to be able to be a part of that player’s journey and see their dreams come true.”

Marinkovich said the new Diamonds squad would “evolve the way in which we want to play the game”.

“I think for us, it’s always about our contribution to the Diamonds’ legacy … and this group has the responsibility to go out there and contribute to that,” she said.

Garbin said she felt pure excitement in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games, despite the fact there would be just a short break after the end of the Super Netball finals.

“I think Stacey definitely would like more time to train together,” Garbin laughed.

“She always wants more time and more hands on us, but I feel like this group has been together for quite a long time. It’s been quite consistent over the last four years, so we do have really good connections already.”

Garbin and the Vixens are set to face the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the semi-finals this Sunday, while the Melbourne Mavericks take on West Coast Fever.

The Vixens, who are looking defend their 2025 premiership, had a strong start to the season but have faltered in the past few weeks.

“The last couple of weeks hasn’t gone our way, but I feel like there’s still a really positive mindset around the camp,” Garbin said.

“We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us, but I think the exciting thing is we know we can beat them, we’ve done it before.”

Australian Diamonds Commonwealth Games squad: Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Jamie-Lee Price, Liz Watson, Jo Weston. Reserves: Jessie Grenvold, Amy Parmenter, Donnell Wallam.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.