Diamonds wrap up Comm Games prep with Jamaica drubbingAnna HarringtonAAPWed, 11 February 2026 6:23PM
The Diamonds have wrapped up preparations for their Commonwealth Games title defence and celebrated captain Liz Watson’s 100th Test in style with an 80-33 smashing of Jamaica.
World No.1 Australia had already wrapped up the three-match series with thumping victories in Adelaide and Perth.
But with Wednesday night’s match at John Cain Arena the last before Australia heads to Glasgow aiming to win back-to-back gold for the first time, coach Stacey Marinkovich made it clear there was plenty to be gained.
After wins by 31 in Adelaide and 32 in Perth, Wednesday’s 47-goal triumph was Australia’s highest score and biggest winning margin of the series, sealing a clean sweep.
Melburnian Watson, who was player of the match and player of the series, became the sixth Australian, and the first midcourter, to reach 100 Tests.
Only Liz Ellis (122), Sharelle McMahon (118), Catherine Cox (108), Vicki Wilson (104) and Caitlin Bassett (102) have played more.
Cara Koenen (23/25) did the damage early with assistance from Sophie Dwyer (12/12) while starting centre Jamie-Lee Price (18 goal assists) was sensational.
Watson (18 assists) was excellent while Garbin (30/33) picked up where Koenen left off.
Gezelle Allison (20/24) was Jamaica’s top scorer on a tough night for the Sunshine Girls.
Koenen, in her 50th test, shot a perfect 14/14 as Australia claimed an 18-6 quarter-time lead.
The goaler grimaced after rolling her left ankle late in the first quarter but played on.
Under-strength Jamaica, who are without pregnant superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, stretched Australia early in the second quarter as they changed up their ball movement.
But Australia weren’t rattled and responded, extending their halftime lead to 17.
Marinkovich shuffled her line-up at the long break, including moving Watson from wing attack to centre.
Watson and substitute Georgie Horjus had 12 assists for the third quarter as Garbin (17/18) and Kiera Austin (7/8) ramped up the heat.
Austin grabbed at her right shoulder and collarbone after being knocked down by Latanya Wilson late in the quarter but brushed off any concerns and helped Australia to a 31-goal lead at three-quarter time.
The fourth quarter proved a formality but Watson had the crowd on their feet when she cleverly kept the ball in play with a flick-in, then carried on running before setting up Garbin to score.
Australia piled on the goals from there to complete the rout.
The Diamonds kick off their Games title defence against England on July 26 and are in Pool A with the Roses, South Africa, Malawi, Tonga and Northern Ireland, while Jamaica are in Pool B.
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