Constellation Cup Game 2 Preview
Wednesday 22 October 2025 – Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney Olympic Park, NSW)
What we learned in Game 1
In the opener, the Diamonds won 69-52 (a 17-goal victory) and while the Silver Ferns were competitive for most of the game, they fell away in the last quarter.
The Diamonds shooter were impeccable - 42 goals at 93% for Sophie Garbin, and Kiera Austin shot 27 goals at 84%. The Ferns defence just could not contain them.
Defence for Australia stood up: Courtney Bruce had four gains and Sunday Aryang tagged Martina Salmon relentlessly to close down the space.
However: the Ferns were still in the game for three quarters, only to be overwhelmed in the final term (Australia’s floodgates opened in the fourth quarter) - that late-game blowout is a red flag for the Silver Ferns - can they turn it around in Game 2?
Turnovers and errors were a feature: the Silver Ferns had 17 turnovers (compared to the Diamond’s 9), and connections in attack were inconsistent.
Overall, Australia were impressive, but New Zealand can definitely not be written off. What can we expect to see as the teams clash for Game 2?
Will Stacey Marinkovich stick with an unchanged seven, or tweak?
Diamonds Coach Stacey Marinkovich now faces some interesting strategic decisions. The tried-and-true seven from Game 1 delivered a strong win, but should she use the opportunity to blood some new combinations?
On one hand: there is real value in continuity. The combinations are working, the defence has chemistry, and the attacking end (with Sophie Garbin leading the way) is well-balanced.
On the other hand: we know Australia has depth. Names like Georgie Horjus, Cara Koenen, Sarah Klau, and Matilda Garrett are all in the mix and can bring fresh legs or different tactical options. For example, if Horjus was given a start or increased minutes it could signal the Diamonds using the series to blood younger players (especially relevant in mid-court/transition).
My expectation: I’d lean toward a largely unchanged starting seven for Game 2 - because the win demands reward and the combinations seem stable - but I’d like to see one or two changes each quarter to roll through some different combinations. Maybe Horjus on in WA and Klau in GK for the second quarter so we see the Moloney/Horjus/Austin/Garbin and Klau/Aryang combos, and the same for quarters 3 and 4.
So: my prediction is the starting line-up will likely be similar, but watch for rotational changes (earlier than Game 1) and perhaps one of the newer players getting extra minutes to inject some freshness.
For the Silver Ferns: GA decision and attack link-up
Turning to New Zealand; one of the big questions is the link between mid-court and the shooting circle. The Ferns are trialling new combinations and while Martina Salmon (so new and developing very impressively in the Ferns set-up) did well in Game 1, what are some options to improve that connection for Game 2? Will we see Georgia Heffernan (who remained on the bench in Game 1) get a run to build connections with Grace Nweke and the midcourt?
Salmon’s development is positive: giving her GA minutes helps build for the future and we’ve seen flashes of her court craft and shooting accuracy, but international netball is an entirely different level.
Perhaps in a match where you need to hit Australia hard early and stay competitive for the full 60 minutes, introducing Heffernan at GA at half time could bring a more established link between mid-court and the circle, or at least provide a different line to vary the attack.
If the Silver Ferns start with Salmon but feel Australia’s defensive pressure is limiting her, then swapping to Heffernan early could be the smart move.
So the preview question: Will the Ferns go with their new look and back Salmon for the full game, or will they have a pre-planned “switch” ready with Heffernan to inject change? My view: they’ll start with Salmon (because you want to reward form and give her the run) but Heffernan will likely be ready to come in early if the tempo drops or ball-movement becomes stilted.
Maintaining intensity for the full 60 minutes
As we saw in Game 1, New Zealand looked strong for three quarters but lost their way in the last. For the Ferns in Game 2 the focus is on staying in the hunt from start to finish.
They must clean up unforced errors and turnovers: those mistakes allowed Australia’s defensive unit to build momentum and transition into attacking dominance.
They should perhaps plan for personnel changes at half time (or just before the three-quarter mark) rather than waiting until fatigue sets in. If fresh legs come in earlier in the third or early in the fourth, it can help avoid that collapse.
From Australia’s perspective, they know the fourth quarter is their strength - but also know the Ferns will aim to disrupt that. So expect Australia to perhaps have more rotations than Game 1 (and earlier) to maintain intensity, and conversely the Ferns to plan to throw a curve-ball (fresh mid-court, different rhythm) after the main break.
For the Diamonds: earlier rotations might help them maintain speed and solidify connections. For the Ferns: having an injection of pace or a tactical shift just when Australia look comfortable could help them avoid falling away in the last quarter and keep the contest alive.
Sophie Garbin: will a different partner be trialled?
Sophie Garbin was outstanding in Game 1: 42 goals at 93%, and her body angles were a sight to see. Her connection with Kiera Austin was also impressive. The question now: will Marinkovich take the chance to trial a different shooter-pairing, perhaps to broaden the attacking bench and build depth for the series (and beyond)?
On one hand: why fix what isn’t broken? Garbin/Austin worked, the conversions were high.
On the other: the series is still young, international test series don’t come along often, and Marinkovich may choose to use Game 2 to develop further combinations - e.g., Cara Koenen sliding into GA or GS or Horjus feeding Garbin. The idea being: if you can maintain Garbin’s output but test a new circle partner (or a new feeder) you build options for later in the series and the years ahead.
If the Diamonds keep Garbin at GS and Austin at GA, maybe the switch comes on the bench: Koenen given more minutes in the circle to see how she links, or a rotational shooter (maybe Horjus in GA) introduced mid-quarter.
My expectation: Marinkovich will stick with Garbin/Austin for the start, but will use the game to increase minutes for the next-generation shooters or partner options, perhaps rotating shooters through the game to see how those connections work under pressure.
Turnovers & errors: clean-up is critical
Game 1 showed some sloppy moments for the Ferns (and to a lesser extent the Diamonds). For the Ferns to truly challenge, cleaning up errors is non-negotiable.
17 turnovers in international netball is very high (particularly for the top teams) - multiple balls over the baseline and missed connections cost the Ferns.
Australia’s defensive gains (Bruce had four) showed how the Diamonds were pouncing on every ball that came anywhere near them.
The Ferns must be sharper in the mid-court to circle transition: hold possession, ensure crisp feeds, limit errors.
The Diamonds will seek to maintain pressure, make turnovers count and convert fast. If the Silver Ferns slow the game, control tempo and protect the ball, they’ll give themselves a chance.
In short: if the Ferns lift their retention rate and reduce errors, the margin narrows. If not - it may be a similar story to Game 1.
Blooding the next generation: WA for Australia
One of the longer-term storylines for the Diamonds is indeed the replacement of long-serving mid-court players (for example Liz Watson and Kate Moloney) and building for the next 8 + years. The question: does Marinkovich use this series as a platform to give younger WA options more exposure?
Georgie Horjus has shone at WA for the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the last few years: smart, fast, with accurate feeds and an innate understanding of the role of the shooting circle (given she is of course also a shooter).
If Australia continue with Watson in the starting seven, they’re keeping experience front and centre - which makes sense in a high-stakes series. But if there’s a chance to bring Horjus on earlier (or start her) perhaps it’s a chance to see who could be Watson’s successor.
Given Watson is the Diamonds captain, you might argue preserving the status quo is fair - but consider that the Diamonds know the series is four games and they want to ensure depth, especially if this is a stepping‐stone to major events (e.g., Commonwealth Games, World Cup) - perhaps this is a great chance to test that.
Prediction: Watson will start WA, but Horjus will be given significant minutes in Game 2 (and perhaps earlier in the second half) to ensure she gets valuable exposure under high-pressure conditions. If Horjus shines she could get a starting nod in subsequent games.
Final thoughts
Game 2 promises to deliver subtle shifts. Australia will likely maintain the core of Game 1’s starting seven - but with rotation depth activated earlier and perhaps a new shooting combo introduced off the bench. New Zealand, for their part, must use this game to build consistency from start to finish: retain possession, vary their attack link with Salmon/Heffernan, apply full-game intensity and avoid the late-game slide they allowed Australia to exploit.
If the Ferns come out hard, stay disciplined through the third and fourth quarters, and clean up their errors, the contest will be razor-tight. If they slip - Australia will pounce, as they did in Game 1.
Centre pass: 7:30pm AEDT | 6:30pm AEST | 9:30pm NZDT, Wednesday 22 October
Venue: Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney Olympic Park, NSW)
Broadcast: Fox Netball & Kayo (AUS) | Sky Sport (NZ)
