The Australian Diamonds have celebrated their 500th game milestone in style by claiming a nine-goal win over rivals New Zealand in Brisbane.
The 55-46 result ensures the Aussies will now head across the ditch holding a substantial 19-goal advantage ahead of the final two games of the Constellation Cup.
Pleasingly for Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich, the Ferns were held to just 46 goals for the match – despite the return of star Grace Nweke.
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Nweke, playing her first game since her knee injury suffered in the World Cup round matches, had an immediate impact when brought on in the second term.
But her battle with Diamond Courtney Bruce was marred by multiple contact calls as the physicality ramped up between the rivals.
New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua was forced into a “turnstile” defence, trying to find the right combination to stop Aussie duo Cara Koenen and Kiera Austin.
But missed shots and costly penalties ensured the match was all but over at the final change in worrying signs for the world number two ranked side.
Koenen finished with 33/33 while Austin had 21/26.
Nweke had 21/24 in her half a game while Amelia Walmsley added 17/19 and Ameliaranne Ekenasio landed 6/9.
Diamonds captain Liz Watson said her side would remain confident heading to New Zealand, with game three on Thursday.
“We don’t have the best record over in New Zealand,” she said.
“(It’s been) an awesome start. We feel the momentum. We’re really excited to get over there and have two solid matches.”
Diamonds midcourter Paige Hadley was named player of the match for her 20 feeds and 14 goal assists.
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LIVE MATCH BLOG
STARTING SEVEN
Australia: GS Koenen, GA Austin, WA Watson (c), C Hadley, WD Aryang, GD Weston, GK Bruce
New Zealand: GS Walmsley, GA Ekenasio (c), WA Reuelu-Buchanan, C Gordon, WD Heffernan, GD Burger, GK Jury
The Kiwis received a massive boost pre-game with star Grace Nweke named to play – albeit on restricted minutes.
After a slight “false start”, the Ferns were forced back repeatedly on the opening possession – taking a full minute for the first goal.
Amelia Walmsley – who didn’t have a single goal in the first six minutes in game one – had two in two minutes in a positive start in Brisbane.
“The confidence!” commentator Caitlin Bassett praised.
“They are putting that ball in nice and early. She should have no problem getting two hands to it and pulling it in.”
“This is a masterstroke from coach Noeline Taurua,” Catherine Cox added of Walmsley’s dominance.
Play was stopped after just four minutes after the court unsafe at both ends – with the baseline needing a sweep.
“Interesting to note the reserve umpire Gary Burgess was the one who alerted the on-court umpires,” Cox said.
“He’s obviously been around inspecting the court.”
After the delay, it was Australia who regrouped first and opened up a five-goal margin.
Jane Watson was brought on to replace Kelly Jury with five minutes to play in a bid to try and shake up the Aussie attack end.
A big Courtney Bruce tip gifted the Diamonds’ more ball. By quarter time it was Australia leading 16-11 – despite Walmsley’s 9/9 perfect start for the Ferns.
New Zealand’s confidence grew in the second when Nweke was brought on in a big moment for the young Kiwi star – and she took just seconds to get on the board.
Nweke was making a big difference as the Ferns’ closed to within two, with incredible confidence shown to let the ball go to the goal shooter.
“There’s the difference – as soon as it’s in the hands of Ekenasio, it’s out of here into the circle,” Cox praised.
“Welcome back to international netball, Grace Nweke.”
But a big contact call on Nweke swung momentum back Australia’s way.
“You’ve got to be smart,” Bassett lamented.
“There’s no love lost between these two,” Cox added of Nweke and Bruce.
“Courtney Bruce becoming a pest.
“(Nweke) has really got to tidy it up.”
Another big contact call on Nweke allowed Australia to skip to a five-goal lead late in the term – despite all of New Zealand’s good work in the quarter.
At half-time it was the Diamonds leading 28-23.
“A completely different ball game once Nweke came into it,” Cox said.
“Great to see her back on court.”
With Nweke on limited minutes, Walmsley was brought back on at goal shooter for the third term while the Diamonds remained unchanged.
When Bruce got another big tip to teammate Paige Hadley, Australia were back out to their seven-goal lead.
The physicality really ramped up as Sarah Klau entered the game at goal defence, with players from both sides hitting the deck.
A contact call on Klau even drew applause from Walmsley as the push and shove continued in the circle.
“It is getting very, very willing,” Cox said.
Missed shots continued to cost New Zealand as Australia’s lead approached double figures.
Ekenasio was benched with four minutes remaining as youngster Tiana Metuarau came on for her first action of the series.
Phoenix Karaka came on for Burger but by the final change, Australia still held a nine-goal lead, 41-32.
“They’ve got absolutely nothing to lose,” Cox said of the Ferns.
Nweke returned for the final quarter but the damage had already been done on the scoreboard.
Maddy Gordon was left shocked by a tough last touch call as everything seemed to be going against the visitors.
Jury came back on as the series looked to be slipping away from New Zealand, with Burger also brought back moments later.
“It’s a bit of a turnstile down in this New Zealand defence,” Cox said.
With the match win sealed, Marinkovich swung the changes as Kate Moloney and Sophie Dwyer came on court.
By full time, Australia claimed a nine-goal win.
KELPIES TAKE SERIES WIN
The Australian Kelpies were challenged before running out 14-goal winners over New Zealand’s Net Blacks on Sunday.
The 63-49 victory ensures Australia claim the series with just one game to come.
After the blowout win in game one, Australia were only one-goal leaders at the first break as a focused and patient Net Blacks found 2.14m Junior Levi repeatedly under the post.
But a 19-goal second term shifted momentum back in the Kelpies’ favour.
The Kiwis regrouped for the third term but couldn’t cut the deficit.
As the margin blew out in the final term, Australian coach Nerida Stewart rung the changes but opted to leave MVP Brodie Roberts on court with fellow shooting star Jerome Gillbard.
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