Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Diamonds netballer Sarah Klau has retained her spot in Australia’s Constellation Cup squad after pleading guilty to assault.
Klau was included in the 14-strong 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 had fronted Downing Centre Court earlier this month, facing 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.
Sophie Dwyer also retained her spot, looking for a chance to find redemption after the Commonwealth Games debutant missed her after-the-siren shot in a nightmare semi-final loss to Jamaica.
Dwyer was left on the bench in Australia’s bronze-medal win over England in Glasgow.
The core of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s team remains the same from the Games, with the unavailable Jo Weston a notable absentee.
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.
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)
