Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Diamonds attacker Sophie Dwyer is sticking to her guns after the heartbreak of a disappointing Commonwealth Games campaign.
Having moved on from a nightmare semi-final loss to Jamaica in Glasgow, Dwyer and Australia’s best netballers return to the court for this month’s hotly anticipated Constellation Cup series against New Zealand.
The world No.1 side suffered their worst-ever result at a Commonwealth Games after a relentless Jamaica overran Australia for a 46-45 semi-final victory.
Dwyer had a chance to push the semi-final against the Sunshine Girls into overtime, but her after-the-siren shot bounced off the ring and missed.
Australia rallied to cut down England to at least finish on the podium with bronze after a ruthless 68-50 victory, but Dwyer was left unused on the bench.
The Silver Ferns went on to snare their first Games gold medal with a 56-48 victory over Jamaica.
After taking time away for a “Eurosummer”, a refreshed Dwyer said she was itching to get back on the court.
Diamonds teammates have also repeatedly spoken against the spotlight placed on the 24-year-old, with vice-captain Kate Moloney suggesting the focus had unfairly fallen on Dwyer’s shoulders.
Dwyer was speaking in Sydney on Thursday at the Diamonds’ Constellation Cup dress reveal with Asics.
“It just adds more fire to the belly and we know … we’re not that far off,” she told AAP.
“It was one goal in a game that dropped us into that bronze medal match … there was a lot of reflection done.
“There was obviously post-tournament a bit of disappointment that we needed to have that mental refresh.
“Now I think most of us, me included, just can’t wait to get back out on court.”
The new Asics dress unveiled on Thursday comes after the Diamonds’ Valour uniform in Glasgow drew criticism for the length of the skirt.
Players were seen consistently adjusting the dress at the Commonwealth Games, with Netball Australia backing Valour in a brief statement that was released on behalf of the team.
The Asics dress was developed in collaboration with Diamonds star Jamie-Lee Price, and features artwork by Yorta Yorta woman Alkina Edwards.
“It didn’t really bother us as much as I think everyone else probably thought it did,” Dwyer said of the Valour uniform.
“We just got on with our jobs. It is what it was.
“It wasn’t obviously the most ideal situation with the media, but also any traction sometimes is good traction.
“People talked about us, but … we still felt like we could go out there and perform.”
This year’s four-match Constellation Cup series will be the first time traditional rivals Australia and New Zealand have faced each other on the court this year.
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.
