Veteran duo Maddy Proud and Kim Ravaillion have been left out of the Diamonds squad for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The highly anticipated squad was unveiled on Friday, with the 18 selected players hailing from seven different Super Netball clubs.
This year’s group shows just how difficult it is to break into the elite side, with all but one of the players returning athletes.
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Ravaillion’s snub was particularly surprising, given her sensational form for the Queensland Firebirds in the early stages of the Super Netball season.
The 28-year-old has 60 national caps to her name and won a gold medal with the Diamonds at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She was also a member of the victorious 2015 World Cup squad.
The newest addition to Australia’s squad is Ravaillion’s teammate, Firebirds goal shooter and proud Noongar woman, Donnell Wallam, who has also dazzled just five games into her first Super Netball season.
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“After showing great accuracy and strength at the post during her debut Suncorp Super Netball season, Donnell Wallam has been selected in the Diamonds squad,” Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich said in a statement.
The Aussies’ defensive circle comprises four premiership-winning defenders including Fever captain Courtney Bruce, Swifts Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner, and Vixen Jo Weston. The group is rounded out by exciting Fever youngster Sunday Aryang.
A dominant midcourt has also been named with Collingwood’s Ash Brazil, Swifts co-captain Paige Hadley, the Giants’ Amy Parmenter and Jamie-Lee Price, and Vixens co-captains Liz Watson and Kate Maloney.
The Diamonds shooting lineup possess big-time players such as Vixens recruit Kiera Austin, Giants young gun Sophie Dwyer, the Lightning’s Steph Wood and Cara Koenen, Collingwood’s Sophie Garbin and Firebird Gretel Bueta.
Watson will continue her tenure as captain beside vice-captain Wood.
Marinkovich congratulated those who had caught her eye, along with long-time national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins.
With up to 22 athletes able to be named in the Diamonds squad, Marinkovich said several positions were still up for grabs, providing a glimmer of hope for both Proud and Ravaillion.
“Selection definitely hasn’t been an easy task,” she said.
“We have such a great depth of talent within our system across every position on the court and I congratulate those who have been selected.
“We have selected 18 athletes and will continue to closely monitor performances throughout the Suncorp Super Netball season, with the potential to add to the squad throughout the year.
“This squad showcases an incredible breadth of experience and new emerging talent.”
The 2022 Commonwealth Games team of 12 athletes will be selected from the Diamonds squad closer to the event.
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