'The green and gold means so much': Matilda Garrett's golden opportunity

By Erin Lyons & Stephanie Smarrelli

Surrounded by two of the world’s best defenders at the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Matilda Garrett quietly went about her business. 

While her stats sheet might not have been as flashy as her Jamaican teammates, her shut down defensive brand of netball, and huge work rate, did not go unnoticed by those who mattered most – including Origin Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich. Now on the verge of achieving a lifelong dream, for Matilda Garrett, or "Tilly" as she's known, the initial shock of selection may never wear off for the Diamonds' newest squad member. 

Speaking at Diamonds camp in Canberra, Garrett confessed she never thought she’d make it to Suncorp Super Netball, let alone be a chance of standing arm in arm with the country's best netballers with the Coat of Arms embroidered on her green and gold dress. 
 
"When I'd missed a call from Stacey, my first thought was, ‘oh my gosh, what have I done wrong?’. When I rang her back and she said that I'd made the Origin Diamonds squad, I was so shocked,” Garrett said. 
 
"It was such a cool moment, I definitely did not expect to be sitting here at the AIS in this dress it's pretty surreal.” 
 
MAKING THE LEAP 
 
Although a premiership player with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Garrett's rise to the top hasn't been smooth sailing.  

At the end of 2020 her career was at a crossroads, having been a feature in the Collingwood Magpies line-up for two years the club opted not to offer her a new contract.  

Without a contract, Garrett was left to decide if she was willing to move interstate to continue chasing the dream.  

"Moving states was quite challenging, the decision in the first place was a hard one, especially when you play for a club you put your heart and soul into it and the people you play with become your best friends,” she said. 

Reflecting on the move Garrett had no regrets describing it as the best thing she ever did. And with the support of her mum, who she regards as a key contributor to her career, the defender made the move across the border to Adelaide.  

And for Garrett, this was the start of something special. 

DIAMOND OPPORTUNITY 

Reflecting on the opportunity to represent the nation, the 25-year-old acknowledged the old-age cliché but said  it really would mean fulfilling a childhood dream. 

"To step out on court in the green and gold, means so much. I know a lot of players say this but it's truly a dream come true,” she said. 

"I've watched the Diamonds for a long time and there's been some amazing players that have been able to put on this dress so even just sitting here in this dress is surreal for me it means a lot.".

Garrett is enjoying her time in the Diamonds environment, valuing the connections she's made with the squad.   

"The girls and the staff have been so welcoming, it's been nice to get to know the girls on more of a personal level and build those connections on the court,” she said. 

"Obviously when you play SSN, you play against a lot of the girls it's been such a good, cool experience to actually play with them and not be against them for once." 

When asked about those who inspire her, Garrett didn't have to think for long before naming her former teammate, and recently retired Diamond, Ash Brazill. 

"Seeing her reach her goal of playing for the Diamonds and being more of a senior athlete... it was cool to see how many years of effort and hard work she put in to actually get her opportunity to play,” she said. 

"She's an all-round amazing human being, I feel like she has great balance in life with being a netball player and a mum.” 

If Garrett does take the court during the South Africa Series, she will become Diamonds #191 and her name etched in history forever.