‘Remorseful’ Klau in Diamonds’ Constellation Cup squad
Joanna Guelas and Callum Godde |
Australia’s netball team is sticking with the notion diamonds are forever, with Sarah Klau keeping her spot in the Constellation Cup squad.
Klau was included in the Diamonds’ 14-player squad named on Tuesday, less than a week after the goalkeeper was sanctioned by Netball Australia.
The 31-year-old was handed a $5000 fine and a two-game ban – suspended for 12 months – by the sport’s national governing body.
Klau fronted Sydney’s Downing Centre Court earlier in September over a common assault charge on June 7.
She had allegedly kicked a security guard in the back outside a pub in Sydney’s eastern suburbs when she was denied entry due to being too intoxicated.
The NSW Swifts player had reportedly attended a Sydney Swans AFL match, a day after an ongoing leg injury ruled her out of the remainder of the Super Netball season.
Klau, who represented Australia on 67 occasions since her Diamonds debut in 2019, had failed to disclose the matter to NA before the Commonwealth Games in July, resulting in the sanctions.
Vice-captain Kate Moloney said she hadn’t spoken to Clau since the punishment was rendered but had checked in with messages.
“Sarah has apologised to group and is extremely remorseful for what’s happened,” she told AAP at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Cartier exhibition.
“Obviously it’s not behaviour that we want to see from our Australian Diamonds.
“She’s given an opportunity pull on that dress and I have doubt that she goes out there and plays some really good netball.”
Sophie Dwyer also retained her place after the Commonwealth Games debutant missed her after-the-siren shot in a nightmare semi-final loss to Jamaica.
The Sydney Sirens shooter was left on the bench in Australia’s bronze-medal win over England in Glasgow.
Moloney suggested much of the focus of the third-place finish had unfairly fallen on Dwyer’s shoulders.
“For me, the courage that she showed to take the shot and put it up was pretty special,” the Melbourne Vixens captain said.
“You’ve got to look at the amount of mistakes that we made earlier in the game that led to us being in that position.”
The core of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s team remains the same from the Games, although Jo Weston was a notable absentee as her load is managed.
Jessie Grenvold, Amy Parmenter and Donnell Wallam return to the side after travelling to Glasgow as reserves.
Grenvold is yet to make her Diamonds debut after earning her maiden call-up in May following a breakout season in defence for the Melbourne Mavericks.
The Constellation Cup begins on October 18, with the Diamonds travelling to Auckland to take on the new Commonwealth Games champions.
Australia have not won a game in New Zealand in regular time since the 2021 Constellation Cup.
Coming off Games gold, Diamonds captain Liz Watson knows the Silver Ferns will be brimming with confidence and belief.
“We haven’t had the best track record over in New Zealand so we’ll have to start really strong,” Watson said.
DIAMONDS SQUAD FOR THE CONSTELLATION CUP: Kiera Austin (NSW/Melbourne Vixens), Courtney Bruce (WA/Sunshine Coast Lightning), Sophie Dwyer (NSW/Sydney Sirens), Sophie Garbin (WA/Melbourne Vixens), Matilda Garrett (VIC/NSW Swifts), Jessie Grenvold (SA/Melbourne Mavericks), Georgie Horjus (SA/Adelaide Thunderbirds), Sarah Klau (SA/NSW Swifts), Cara Koenen (QLD/Queensland Firebirds), Kate Moloney (VIC/Melbourne Vixens), Amy Parmenter (NSW/Melbourne Mavericks), Jamie-Lee Price (NSW/Melbourne Mavericks), Donnell Wallam (WA/Sunshine Coast Lightning), Liz Watson (VIC/Sunshine Coast Lightning)
FIXTURES:
Match 1: Sunday, October 18 (Spark Arena, Auckland)
Match 2: Wednesday, October 21 (Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch)
Match 3: Sunday, October 25 (Afterpay Arena, Sydney)
Match 4: Wednesday, October 28 (John Cain Arena, Melbourne)
AAP