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It's war against NZ for Games netball gold

15th April, 2014
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Revenge against their main rivals will fuel the Australian Netball team’s thirst for gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Coach Lisa Alexander on Monday declared war against New Zealand as she announced a veteran-heavy 18-player squad vying for Diamonds selection.

Melbourne Vixens midcourter Elizabeth Watson is the only potential debutant in the squad, to be trimmed to 12 players next month.

But Alexander insists the emerging 20-year-old has as good a chance as any as she aims to take the best team possible to Glasgow to reclaim gold from arch-rivals New Zealand.

“It definitely depends on current form and we also need to make sure we have fit and healthy players that are going to compete day-in, day-out during the tournament,” she told AAP.

“Players have to be able to back up and play well day after day.”

Alexander said New Zealand and Australia were neck and neck in terms of talent, which was evident in the ANZ Championship.

“When you get their 12 best against our 12 best, it’s really tough,” she said.

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“It is war and it’s going to be absolutely hotly contested.”

New Zealand claimed gold in Melbourne in 2006 and again in Delhi in 2010 in a final that became the longest official game ever after Australia suffered a heartbreaking 66-64 defeat in double overtime.

It’s a memory hard to shake for those who played in the final, including West Coast Fever goaler Natalie Medhurst, who is hoping for a ticket to Glasgow.

“Being part of the Delhi situation and to lose in double extra time is a hard pill to swallow, and not a feeling that myself and the other girls want to have again,” Medhurst said.

“So we’re certainly wanting to make amends.”

Teammate Caitlin Bassett said the rivalry with New Zealand is so fierce because both teams know the others’ games so intimately.

“It’s probably one of the best sporting match-ups in history,” she said.

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Both will have stiff competition, given the depth of talent in the goaler positions and the retirement of Diamonds stalwart Catherine Cox.

Alexander was quick not to discount other competing teams, including England, who will be tough to beat in neighbouring Scotland.

Wales and South Africa are the other dark horses to look out for in Australia’s pool, she said.

The final team will be announced after a three day selection camp in Canberra from May 5-7.

Squad: Karyn Bailey, Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Rebecca Bulley, Tegan Caldwell, Bianca Chatfield, Julie Corletto, Laura Geitz, Kimberlee Green, Renae Hallinan, Sharni Layton, Natalie Medhurst, Susan Pratley, Kim Ravaillion, Madi Robinson, Gabrielle Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Elizabeth Watson.

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