Australian Diamonds vs South Africa: Commonwealth Games Netball live scores, blog

By Sarah Wildy / Roar Guru

The Australian Diamonds will look for a third win in the group stage when they take on South Africa at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Join The Roar for live coverage and a blog of the match from 8:30pm AEST.

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Australia have begun their Commonwealth Games campaign in dangerous fashion, proving exactly why they are Gold medal favourites.

The Diamonds started with a 68-goal win over Northern Ireland and then continued their winning form, cruising to a 55-goal victory against Barbados.

Both games have given Australia the opportunity to trial different combinations across the court, to determine how they will tackle the tougher matches later on.

South Africa didn’t have the positive start to the Games they would have liked, going down to Jamaica by 11 goals on Friday. They beat Northern Ireland yesterday, but it was an unconvincing 14-goal win.

Shooting at just 82 percent and 83 percent in these matches, South Africa will need to be much more accurate in the goal circle against Australia’s strong defence.

Meanwhile Australia shot at 93 percent against Northern Ireland and then an incredible 96 percent in their game with Barbados. Caitlin Bassett was the only shooter without 100 percent accuracy for Australia in their second match, she missed just three shots for the night.

Caitlin Bassett will most likely start in Goal Shooter for this match, with Susan Pettitt in Goal Attack as Australia cement a starting seven. Though, Caitlin Thwaites has definitely put her hand up to assume position in the goal circle.

It should be a good contest, but Australia are just far too strong for any opposition right now.

Prediction
After thrashing Northern Ireland and Barbados, Australia may be slightly more challenged by tlineuph African line up. On current form though, Australia will be too clinical and make better use of the ball when they have it. A strong win for the Diamonds expected here.

Australia by 22 goals.

The Crowd Says:

2018-04-09T12:52:34+00:00

KenoathCarnt

Guest


For goodness sake Aus work the channels!

2018-04-08T12:04:01+00:00

Josh

Expert


Jeez Sarah you nailed the margin prediction!

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:57:56+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


FULL TIME Australia 60 South Africa 38 22 goal win for Australia. As expected The Diamonds were too strong, led from start to finish and got another good win under their belt to (almost) cement their place in finals!

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:56:01+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


All smiles on the Australian bench, with Wood being tended to with ice and tissues! An air shot from South Africa and Australia get the intercept. 59-37

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:54:48+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Wood with a blood nose after contact from the SA goal keeper. Pettitt comes in to finish this one. 59-37

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:52:56+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


I’m much closer with this predicted margin today! 22 the difference, 3:30 left on the clock. 56-34

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:52:22+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Thwaites with a mid range shot, all net. 56-23

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:51:22+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Gee Brandley is sneaky. When out of play you cannot communicate with your players, but Brandley went for the head tilts to help her defenders out. 55-32

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:50:04+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Thwaites with an easy shot from close range. 55-32

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:49:05+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Another one for Wood. 21 goals the difference. 53-32

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:46:45+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Brandley on for Simpson in WD

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:46:16+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Wood making her claim: She doesn’t want to be a 2nd half/alternate GA... great shooting in this second half!! Aus up 51-30

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:44:26+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Thwaites with another to put the Aussies 20 goals up. 49-29

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:43:10+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Bruce with the intercept! Australia can’t get a shot on it though. Back down SA end. Now heading back with Aus attack. 47-29

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:41:15+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Last quarter underway with a goal to Steph Wood! 46-29

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:38:15+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


THREE QUARTER TIME SA shoot a goal from a penalty on the siren. Aus still have a commanding lead of 16. Crowd getting right into this one, looking for a strong quarter from Aus to finish this one off. Australia 45 Smith Africa 29

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:35:41+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


16 goal lead to Australia with a minute to play. 44-28

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:33:36+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


SA peg on back. 43-26

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:32:54+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


Great teamwork in the goal circle and Australia have another. 43-25

AUTHOR

2018-04-08T11:32:11+00:00

Sarah Wildy

Roar Guru


All Australia at the minute. 4 minutes left in the third. 42-25

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