Silver Ferns miss netball clean sweep in Melbourne
The Silver Ferns have let a historic Constellation Cup clean sweep slip through their fingers as the Australian Diamonds rallied to win the fourth test 68-58 in Melbourne.
Similar to their Sydney efforts the Diamonds opened up a lead towards the end of the third quarter. This time around there was no New Zealand comeback, so unlike in Sydney, it proved decisive.
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The Silver Ferns reverted to their match-day 12 of the second test, with midcourter Peta Toeava replacing Kimiora Poi and getting the start at wing attack, coinciding with the first start of the series for goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
With Jamie-Lee Price (calf) and Matilda Garrett (concussion) ruled out for the Australian leg of the series, the Diamonds’ options were, once again, limited. After a challenging series with finger issues, midcourter Kate Moloney, who was ruled out of the games in New Zealand after needing multiple stitches in one finger, dislocated another at the start of the third test, but bounced back strongly to grab a starting spot in the fourth.
It was a measured start with the teams going goal-for-goal in the early stages before the Diamonds got the first mini jump to take a short-lived three-goal lead. That was quickly reeled in by good defensive pick-ups from centre Maddy Gordon and the combined efforts of in-circle defenders Karin Burger and Kelly Jackson enabling the Silver Ferns to take a tenuous 15-14 lead at the first break.
The Diamonds were effective at disrupting the Silver Ferns second phase play on the resumption while experienced midcourters in captain Liz Watson and Moloney impressed with their speed and variety at their attacking end. They were well-supported by the impressive play and shooting of Sophie Garbin and Georgie Horjus.
The Silver Ferns were quick to make a change with Parris Mason coming on at goal defence for captain Burger, for her first minutes of the series,
Neither team able to pull away, the Silver Ferns produced a late push to keep the slimmest of advantages when leading 32-31 at the main break after a drawn second quarter.
Managing workloads while giving others opportunities, the Silver Ferns made multiple changes during the third stanza, including the introduction of Georgia Heffernan, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Amelia Walmsley at various stages, as the on-court nip and tuck continued.
Retaining their starting seven, it was the Diamonds who made a decisive move during a dominant third quarter. Continuing to impress with the speed of ball and movement on attack, combined with Horjus making a strong impression from goal attack, the Diamonds moved into a position of control when leading 51-45 at the last turn
Nweke was awarded the Plumber-Aitken medal for Player of the Series.
The Sliver Ferns wind up a busy 2026 schedule with three matches against the Net Blacks NZ Men’s team in Hamilton on November 17, 19 and 21.
