The Australian Diamonds have been crowned inaugural winners of the Netball Quad Series, with a five-goal victory over traditional rivals, the New Zealand Silver Ferns. The game was an arm-wrestle from the opening whistle, with the lead changing hands a staggering ten times.
The Ferns took almost six minutes to secure the first break of the match. However, unanswered goals at the end of the first quarter saw the Diamonds go into the first break with a three-goal lead.
It was the Ferns who made the most of the second term, netting the opening five goals before the Diamonds fought back to end the first half at 30 goals a-piece. The home side looked slick in attack, with Madi Robinson and Kim Ravaillion providing plenty of ball to their shooters.
Alexander reshuffled her defensive unit in the third quarter, sending acting captain Clare McMeniman to wing defence and April Brandley into goal defence. The move provided additional height in the goal circle and blocking ability through the midcourt, seeing the Diamonds close out the term with a one-goal lead.
Fans were on the edge of their seats leading into the final quarter. The Diamonds dialed up their intensity, with a vocal home crowd cheering them on. A burst of four goals scored within a minute, with just 90 seconds on the clock, saw the Diamonds storm home to victory.
VIS athletes Madi Robinson and Liz Watson were members of the Diamonds’ team.
