Diamonds name newcomers for Comm Games gold defence

Australia will feature five players set to make their Commonwealth Games debut as it defends its netball gold medal in Glasgow.

The 12-player Diamonds squad was confirmed on Wednesday.

Midcourter Jamie-Lee Price is among the newcomers, four years after she narrowly missed out on selection and was a travelling reserve in Birmingham.

Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett and Georgie Horgus are the other first-time Games selections.

Balancing the squad are some all-time Australian netball greats, with Liz Watson captaining the Diamonds.

Watson, Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce will compete at their third Games.

Kiera Austin, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen and Kate Moloney also competed in Birmingham.

Jessie Grenvold, Amy Parmenter and Donnell Wallam will be the reserves.

They will be with the squad in Melbourne for a pre-Games training camp, but will head to Scotland.

Since netball became a Commonwealth Games sport in 1998, Australia has won four of the seven gold medals contested.

It is the only country to feature in every final.

The Commonwealth Games begin on July 23.

Diamonds squad: Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Jamie-Lee Price, Liz Watson, Jo Weston

Reserves: Jessie Grenvold, Amy Parmenter, Donnell Wallam

AAP