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Diamonds squad announced, but is it our best?

The Australian Diamonds will get their campaign away against Northern Ireland. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Roar Pro
13th October, 2015
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Australia Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has named her 12-player squad for the Constellation Cup Series against the New Zealand Silver Ferns.

With some high profile retirements after the Diamonds World Cup success, there are some new faces in the squad.

The only selection I question is Gretel Tippett. While Tippett’s basketball style of play was something exciting in this year’s ANZ Championships especially her lay up shot, I wonder what Alexander believes Tippett can bring to this Diamonds squad.

Tippett for the 2015 season only shot 64.2 per cent of goals, a percentage that is below average for elite netball. Tippett also gave away 90 penalties. She is an attacking player and gave away 90 penalties. She also gave away a staggering 98 turnovers, the most of any player in the whole season.

I acknowledge Tippett’s amazing story to elite netball, but I struggle to find a reason as to why she was selected as one of Australia’s best.

Thinking of other Australian goal attacks, which have not been selected for Australia for this series, one name keeps popping into my head: Susan Pettit.

In comparison to Tippett, Pettit shot 87.7 per cent for the season and gave away 69 penalties and 69 turnovers all year.

Pettit’s absence from the Diamonds becomes more apparent with each international appearance. Is she not liked? Has she quietly ruled herself out? Did she upset someone?

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Pettit has on more than one occasion proved herself – I guess we all see something that selectors don’t.

The Australia Diamonds Squad
Caitlin Bassett (WA/West Coast Fever)
Erin Bell (NSW/Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Laura Geitz (Queensland/Queensland Firebirds)
Paige Hadley (NSW/NSW Swifts)
Renae Ingles (nee Hallinan) (VIC/Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Sharni Layton (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Clare McMeniman (Queensland/Queensland Firebirds)
Natalie Medhurst (SA/West Coast Fever)
Kim Ravaillion (NSW/Queensland Firebirds)
Gabi Simpson (NSW/Queensland Firebirds)
Caitlin Thwaites (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Gretel Tippett (Queensland/Queensland Firebirds)

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