Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett has been named in the Australian Diamonds squad for 2023-24 on the back of a stellar start to the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.
In her third season with the Thunderbirds, the 24-year-old has been in fine form this season, recording 11 deflections, 9 intercepts and 186.5 Nissan Net Points across the opening six matches.
Her combination with Jamaican defenders Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson has continued to grow and pay dividends for the Adelaide side this season.
In Round 3, she was named the fan-voted MVP after finishing the match with 5 gains, 4 intercepts and 2 deflections.
Following her side’s Round 5 victory over the Melbourne Vixens, she was named in the Nissan Net Points Team of the Week alongside fellow defender Shamera Sterling.
Speaking on her first-ever selection, Garrett said it was a dream to come to be recognised in the Australian squad.
“I wasn’t expecting the phone call from Stacey (Marinkovich) at all, I didn’t even know selections were happening to be honest so it’s fair to say I was pretty surprised,” Garrett said.
“It’s not something I really thought would happen for me… it’s still hard to believe.
“It’s definitely a dream come true - to be recognised in this squad is something I’m very proud of.
“I know there’s plenty of hard work ahead but I’m just so excited to get started.
“This wouldn’t be possible without my teammates so to see their faces when I told them and to know how much it means to the people I love most meant a lot to me.”
The squad was selected by Origin Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins.
A squad of up to 22 athletes can be selected, with Marinkovich saying there is opportunity for players to be elevated over the next 12 months.
“Selection is incredibly difficult, but this squad has performed strongly, including success at last year’s Commonwealth Games,” Marinkovich said.
“Over the past two years we have seen growth in performance, both within the program and when competing against other nations.
“Matilda Garrett comes into the squad after demonstrating growth in areas that support Australia’s defensive style of play. Matilda is a tight one-on-one defender who maintains intensity and we look forward to seeing her develop in the Diamonds squad.
“We will continue to closely review performance across the Suncorp Super Netball season, with the opportunity to bring athletes into the squad over the next 12 months.”
Following the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season, the Diamonds will assemble for a training camp before traveling to Cape Town for the 2023 Netball World Cup.
2023-24 Origin Australian Diamonds squad
- Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)
- Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)
- Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Queensland Firebirds/Queensland)
- Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies/New South Wales)
- Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)
- Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
- Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies/Western Australia)
- Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Victoria)
- Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)
- Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
- Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
- Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
- Amy Parmenter (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
- Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
- Maddy Proud (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
- Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds/Western Australia)
- Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
- Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
- Steph Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
