Adelaide Thunderbirds young star Georgie Horjus has earned her maiden selection in the Origin Australian Diamonds Squad for 2024-25 after an exceptional start to the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Alongside her, defender Matilda Garrett returns to the squad after backing up her strong form from 2023, and young shooter Lucy Austin has been named as an invitee for the first time.
Now in her fourth year as a contracted Thunderbird, Horjus has shined across both WA and GA, recording 445 Nissan Net Points, 368 feeds and 132 goal assists in just seven games.
Horjus earned back-to-back player of the match recognitions in rounds 3 and 4 and was named the fan-voted MVP in rounds 3, 4 and 5.
The 22-year-old from Pandarna on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, said it was a dream come true to receive the phone call from Diamonds Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich.
“I got the call from Stacey, and it was an unknown number, and I wasn’t too sure who it was, but I picked it up and it was her,” Horjus said.
“I sort of knew what the call was going to be about and from that point I started to get a bit shaky and was so overwhelmed but very grateful.
“Ever since I started playing netball, it has been a dream of mine to play for the Diamonds so it’s something that I have always wanted to do.”
Horjus acknowledged her parents as playing a pivotal role in her netball journey.
“I’m very grateful for my family, especially my mum and dad for being my biggest supporters over the years,” Horjus said.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without them and they’re behind me at every game.”
Returning to the Australian squad is Diamond #191 and Adelaide Thunderbirds 2023 premiership player Matilda Garrett.
The 25-year-old from Victoria made her debut with the Diamonds in the South African Series in October of last year.
Garrett has continued her fine form on court in 2024, recording 301.5 Nissan Net Points, 23 deflections and 10 intercepts across eight games.
The lockdown defender has now earned her second-consecutive Australian Diamonds squad selection.
South Australian young gun and Thunderbirds premiership player Lucy Austin also received a call from coach Marinkovich, with the Diamonds selecting the 22-year-old as an invitee.
Austin had a breakout debut season in 2023 having served up 133 goals and 11 super shots as she claimed SSN’s Rookie of the Year Award.
Netball Australia announced the squad and invitees on Friday morning, June 7.
Origin Australian Diamonds 2024-25 squad
- Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)
- Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)
- Courtney Bruce (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Western Australia)
- Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
- Ash Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
- Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens/Western Australia)
- Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Victoria)
- Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)
- Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
- Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
- Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
- Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
- Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
- Amy Parmenter (Melbourne Mavericks/New South Wales)
- Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
- Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds/Western Australia)
- Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Victoria)
- Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Origin Australian Diamonds invitees
- Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds/South Australia)
- Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
