With their shooters leading the charge, the Diamonds maintained their dominance over England by wrapping up their netball Test series with a thumping 69-56 victory in game three.
The world champion Australians were staring down the barrel of their first series loss to the Red Roses following a shock 61-59 defeat in game two.
But the Diamonds turned up the heat in front of a sell-out crowd in Bendigo to keep their unbeaten record intact.
Diamonds skipper Liz Watson said the team had to quickly rebound from their game-two disappointment.
“The learnings we got from game two … I’m so proud everyone was able to come on and do their role,” Watson told Kayo Sports.
“We’ve got a squad of 15 so fighting for that selection of 12 makes it a competitive environment, but that’s what makes us so great.”
Sophie Garbin finished with a game-high 43 goals from 47 attempts while her shooting partner Kiera Austin was a handful across the court.
The goal attack finished with 24 goals, 15 goal assists, three gains and two intercepts and was named player of the match as well as series.
Watson said Austin’s performance had come on the back of a stellar Super Netball campaign.
“Her whole season has built really nicely, she’s had an awesome Super season and then has been able to transfer that to the Diamonds environment.
“She’s such a defensive player for us as well – to have a goal attack get intercepts, it really helps us, so she’s been incredible.”
Returning defender Jamie-Lee Price also put her physical stamp on the game.
Following a 13-goal win in the first Test in Adelaide, Price was left out of the second match in Sydney with coach Stacey Marinkovich starting with Amy Parmenter at wing defence.
But with the series on the line, she recalled the 28-year-old who unsettled England through the midcourt.
After a seven-goal run for Australia to take a 23-14 lead early in the second quarter, England coach Jess Thirlby replaced wing attack Lois Pearson with debutante Jess Shaw.
The youngster showed no fear taking on Price, with the pair getting into a tangle and the Australian receiving an official warning from the umpire for her actions.
A second offence meant Price could have been sent to the sidelines for two minutes, but she managed to avoid that penalty.
While the tourists rallied late in the second quarter, the Diamonds hung on to a 30-24 halftime lead.
Garbin was unstoppable after the break, slotting 14 goals from 14 attempts to ensure her team won their first third quarter of the series to take a commanding 50-42 lead.
But well aware of England’s late charge in Sydney, when they outscored the home side by four goals in the final term, the Australians kept the pressure on.
While England’s shooter Liv Tchine missed only one goal from 40 attempts through the match, they weren’t able to close on the Diamonds.
Frustrated Thirlby said it felt different to the opening loss despite the same margin.
“We’re not happy about a margin like that but it feels like we were in the game,” she said.
“I felt we kept ourselves with a foothold in it going into halftime.
“Ultimately we just couldn’t find enough ball so it’s going to be a challenging one to reflect upon … there’s lot to be super positive about.”
