Netball: Australia confident about Commonwealth Games

SYDNEY - Captain Sharelle McMahon is very confident about the Australia's Commonwealth Games netball prospects next year, despite a mixed year of results culminating in a 56-55 loss to Jamaica in Kingston.

Jamaica scored only their fourth win in over 30 tests against Australia.

The Sunshine Girls led 15-14 and 28-26 at the first two breaks, with Australia holding a 43-41 advantage at the last change.

Jamaica grabbed a rebound and scored a game-breaking goal and then retained possession from their final centre pass to secure their first win over Australia in 11 years.

The two-test series finished 1-1 after the Diamonds squeezed out a 53-51 victory in the first match.

Including a non-test game against a World Selection, Australia finished 2009 with a 5-4 record in international competition.

Following a loss to the World Selection, Australia shaded arch rivals New Zealand 3-2 in a five-match series played across both sides of the Tasman.

The Diamonds beat England in a one-off test away from home after finishing third in the inaugural World Series shorter form of the game in which they lost to both England and the Silver Ferns.

Asked where Australia stood 12 months out from the Commonwealth Games tournament in New Delhi, shooter McMahon said "I've been really pleased with the way the group has worked together as a team.

"A few of the combinations are quite new, so we still definitely have some improvements to make, but I'm really happy with where we are sitting at the moment.

"I think we've learnt a lot of very good lessons the last couple of months and learnt the things that we need to do better and what we will work on next year, so I'm feeling very confident".

She said both Jamaica and Australia had enjoyed good leads in the second test.

"Yesterday we won a tight one and today we didn't, so I think it's a good season for us," McMahon said from the Caribbean.

"I think it's good for the group to be involved in really tight, hard matches like that in this preparation phase for the Commonwealth Games."

She wasn't concerned other nations might be catching up.

"Throughout the time I've been in the team there has always been different games where different teams are winning and getting on top of one another and it doesn't always reflect what happens in the major tournaments, which is the main priority for us."

McMahon (22/25) was Australia's most consistent shooter in the second test until knee soreness forced her off in the final quarter.

Unlike the first test where she ran her starting seven for the entire match, coach Norma Plummer gave all 12 squad members court time.

She made two changes to her run on team with Catherine Cox (16/22) starting instead of Susan Pratley (5/6) and Bianca Chatfield at goal keeper instead of Susan Fuhrmann.

Natalie Medhurst (12/16) replaced Cox in the third quarter while wing defence Renae Hallinan was replaced in the second quarter after injuring an ankle.

- AAP