Fitzgerald's Insight on International Series

The Australian Diamonds have wrapped up their international calendar for 2022 with a clean sweep of England on home soil.

Hosting the Roses for the first time since 2018, the three-match series brought great excitement across three games in Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane.

The series opened with a nail-biting match in Newcastle, with a fairy-tale finish from debutant Donnell Wallam as she sank a match-winning goal in the final seconds to see the Diamonds take the game by one goal (55-54).

In game two the Diamonds were in control from the outset as Amy Parmenter looked right at home at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, picking up the MVP award and helping the Diamonds to an eight-goal win (56-48).

Game three was a tale of two halves but the damage was done in the first quarter by the Diamonds as they held on to secure the series 3-0 with a four-goal win (57-53). There was a lot to love as all three GIANTS – Parmenter, Sophie Dwyer and Jamie-Lee Price - made their impact on the game and were on the court for the final whistle of the series.

GIANTS Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald was impressed by the performances of the GIANTS trio.

“It was so great to see them all out there and contributing to the Diamonds’ success and as a whole for the Diamonds, it was awesome that they could get so many different combinations out there and be so successful,” she said.

Price backed up a strong Constellation Cup campaign against New Zealand, playing in all three matches in the England series.

“I think she was strong and consistent,” Fitzgerald said.

“You could see how much her feeds improved over recent months and I thought she had very good performances.”

Amy Parmenter was rested in Newcastle but returned in ripping form in front of a growing Parmy Army in game two and backed it up in the final match as well.

“I think we’ve seen with ‘Parmy’ that as she has settled into the Diamonds line up more, that excitement that she brings to the game,” said Fitzgerald.

“She looks more comfortable to be herself and play her game and that has paid dividends for everyone.”

Sophie Dwyer was added to the squad for the England series following a seamless debut in the Constellation Cup and got the opportunity to experience some more game time in games two and three.

“I was really impressed by her maturity and calmness,” Fitzgerald said.

“I think she’s shown she’s more than capable of playing on that big stage.”

Unfortunately, GIANTS fans weren’t able to see Jo Harten represent her nation here in Australia, with the star shooter not taking the court due to injury management.

“Next year is a huge year both for international netball and Suncorp Super Netball, so it just seemed silly to push her at this time of the year when instead she can have a really good rest and then a really good pre-season leading into next year,” said Fitzgerald.

On the English side were familiar faces in Helen Housby (Swifts) and Geva Mentor (Magpies) and soon to be familiar face in shooter Eleanor Cardwell, who will line up for the Adelaide Thunderbirds next season.

“She’s very strong and she’s very accurate under the post,” Fitzgerald said of Cardwell.

“She’ll be someone that we will need to do a lot of planning for when we come up against the Thunderbirds for the first time next year.”

Price, Dwyer, Parmenter and Harten will have a few weeks off now before joining the remainder of the GIANTS’ 2023 squad for the start of pre-season later this month.