By Amellia Wood
The Australian Diamonds have finished second in Pool A after a dramatic two-goal loss to Jamaica ended their winning streak at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Australia and Jamaica entered their final game of Pool A both undefeated and with a clear intention to show each other up before medal matches.
Jo Weston, playing in her second Commonwealth Games, marked her 50th international test cap when she stepped out on court, an incredible feat for any international netballer.
The sheer number of Suncorp Super Netball match ups was enough to draw the eyes of netball fans globally, with West Coast Fever teammate Jhanielle Fowler set as Courtney Bruce’s challenge, and Collingwood’s Ash Brazil and Jodi-Ann Ward teeing up in a battle of wing defence.
As soon as the game commenced a physical contest loomed that was sure to come down to the wire.
Despite the pure speed of play in the first quarter, the two undefeated teams displayed basic errors indicating nerves.
Once settled, Jamaica’s Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling made shooting combo Steph Wood and Gretel Bueta work hard for the ball. Tactical adjustment to circle feeds by Liz Watson and Kate Moloney helped the Diamonds gain confidence to lead the first quarter, 14-13.
Jamaica continued to attain plenty of turnover ball however struggled to convert down the court, while the Diamonds midcourt defence was dominated by surges from Watson.
Minimal changes were made in the second and third quarters as head coach Stacey Marinkovich played her most consistent roster of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games campaign.
The pinnacle match up of Bruce and Fowler did not disappoint as the duo got entangled and Weston and Bruce were forced to the floor on several occasions while flying out for intercepts.
In the lead by one goal at the beginning of the second half, and in front of a Birmingham crowd that were mainly backing Jamaica, the Diamonds powered through to take a six-goal lead ahead of the final quarter.
The relentless contest pushed even further in the final 10 minutes as Jamaica closed the margin to one goal.
The Diamonds held on with the lead fluctuating between both sides, before Jamaica forced a game deciding turnover in the final minutes to regain a three-goal lead.
A saving grace by Bueta on the siren closed the final the margin to two goals, 55-57 Jamaica’s way. The win made history as the first time Jamaica has defeated Australia in Commonwealth Games history.
“Any loss hurts but I think this is the part where this group is really resilient,” Diamonds Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich said.
“We walk away from this knowing we can be successful, but you’ve got to do that for four quarters.”
The outcome has set up a blockbuster semi-final against the England Roses on Saturday.
The Diamonds must win in order to earn their spot in the Birmingham 2022 gold medal match.
