The Australian Diamonds take on Jamaica in their final pool match at the Commonwealth Games. Join The Roar for live coverage and a blog of the match from 9pm (AEST).
Both Pool A teams are undefeated and have qualified for the semi-finals, but this match will determine who finishes first and second, and therefore who they will play from Pool B.
Jamaica surprised many in their first match when they beat South Africa by 11 goals. Though, after beating New Zealand twice in a lead up tournament, the Sunshine Girls should have always been considered serious medal contenders.
Jamaica’s tall shooters Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and Romelda Aiken are well acquainted with the Australian team and this could really help them.
Fowler-Reid played with the Southern Steel for a number of years in the trans-Tasman Championship, and has now moved to the West Coast Fever for Super Netball season 2018.
As for Aiken, she has played with Laura Geitz at the Queensland Firebirds since 2008.
Australia admitted pre-competition that little is known about what this Jamaican line up are capable of, but the Diamonds coaches now have four games’ worth of footage and knowledge.
The Aussies are travelling nicely to the semi-finals and will appreciate a solid hitout against quality opposition.
Across the court, the Diamonds are strong and balanced, with versatility the key to their squad.
Prediction
Australia and Jamaica both have quality shooters with incredible accuracy, so it will be up to the defenders to determine how this one plays out.
Jamaica have been going well, but expect Australia to lift to another level on the Gold Coast, helped by a home crowd.
Australia by 12.
Maggie
Guest
Thanks Sarah, I missed the TV coverage so it was great to read through your call. Diamonds the form team of the comp to date.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Join The Roar on Saturday for the semi final and then I’ll be back on Sunday for the Bronze or Gold medal match, depending on where Australia feature! Thanks for tuning in tonight.
Olivia
Guest
what time will they be playing tomorrow?
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Brilliant game of netball, but once again the Diamonds are just too strong! Incredible week of 5 Pool games for Australia - no team got within 20 goals of them. Dominating world netball right now, but their trans-Tasman rivals are up next. It will be a challenging game, with the winner to play for Gold and the loser to play for Bronze.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
FULL TIME AUSTRALIA WITH THE WIN 21 goals over Jamaica. First in Pool A. The week thus far could not have gone better for them.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Gee Wood and Thwaites combine so well. 72-51
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Another goal for Australia. Easy ball movement down the court and find the score through Thwaites under the ring. 71-49
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Robinson has also had a great game at WA, feeding carefully into all four shooters that have rotated through. She’s found space through the mid court and held her ground well. 70-48
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Under 4 minutes to go in the final pool match of the commonwealth games. Tomorrow we turn to classification and then finals on Saturday. 20 goals the difference.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Wood with another. 66-46
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Geitz and Brandley jumping all over the place trying to get their finger tips on the ball in defence. It doesn’t work this time, but they’ve got some touches today against 2 of the tallest shooters in netball. 65-46
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Aiken misses twice, and Thwaites makes sure of it down the other end. 64-42
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Such a speedy mover Steph Wood. The intercept by Brandley lands in Woods lap in 2 passes. She scores. 63-42 Aus lead by 21
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Jamaican teammates turning on each other as they throw the ball away again. 62-40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thwaites holding so strong against the very physical Jamaican GK 61-40
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Aiken v Geitz is a really interesting match up for the Firebirds club mates
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Aussies with the turnover, looking to extend their lead. Wood scores. 59-38
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Wood on in GA Weston back on into WD
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Last quarter underway 55-38
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME 55-38 Australia lead by 17. Australia shooting at 96% to Jamaica’s 86% Really strong game by Australia, that third quarter was brilliant.