Garrett primed for Diamonds-Proteas series

PLAYING South Africa will always evoke special memories for Australian Diamonds goal defence Matilda Garrett.

And as she prepares for another showdown against the Proteas at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena this Saturday night, the Melbourne-born Adelaide Thunderbirds star is hoping to notch up a few more positive permanent reminders.

It was against the Proteas that Garrett made her Diamonds debut in Cairns in October 2023 in a 62-43 win – a moment she will cherish forever.

“My whole family was there, so once again (this Saturday) they are coming here to see me,” she said.

“I’ll have a little section there with all of them in it, which should be nice.

“It’s very special to me.”

With nearly a full week in Bendigo behind them, marked by a mix of on-court, gym and bonding sessions and community engagement initiatives, Garrett insisted the Diamonds were eager to hit the court and get the three-match series off to a winning start.

“We have been practicing for a long time and we have had a couple of camps leading into this series,” the 27-year-old said.

“Obviously, South Africa are a great side, but we’ve definitely put in the work and we are really looking forward to getting out there on Saturday night.”

Garrett views the series as another excellent opportunity to strengthen her connection with long-time Diamonds defenders Courtney Bruce, Sarah Klau and Jo Weston, and also potential debutante Ash Ervin.

“We have just been working on our combinations and that is such a strength of the Diamonds. It doesn’t matter who is out there, it’s just a really seamless transition,” she said.

“It’s been a lot of fun working with three or four different goal keepers.

“Each keep you play with has their own strengths and brings something different, so it’s shaping up quite well.

“I feel like the voice from the back, the girls behind me are so experienced. That’s been really helpful.

“I know where they want me to be and what they want me to do.”

Remarkably, the series – which continues in Wollongong next Wednesday and ends in Adelaide on the Sunday – will serve as a chance to get acquainted with her new Thunderbirds teammate Elmere van der Berg, with the Proteas’ goal shooter set to join the Super Netball next season.

“I haven’t actually met het yet, so it will be nice to finally meet her on Saturday night,” she said.

Two other Proteas – Sanmarie Visser and Shadine van der Merwe – have previously played with the Thunderbirds.

An ardent supporter of playing Diamonds games in regional centres, Garrett lauded the reception they had received in Bendigo since last Saturday.

“We just know how regional areas get around netball,” she said.

“The community is awesome, you walk in somewhere and everyone will come up and say, good luck. That’s been really special.

“But we are really looking forward to Saturday.”

Saturday’s Vixens-Proteas clash starts at 7.30pm, get your tickets here.