THE Draft Central Compare the Pair series will aim to analyse two players from different Australian Diamonds eras, with the next showcasing defenders Julie Corletto (née Prendergast) and Jo Weston.

When thinking of defenders with plenty of composure and intensity, one cannot go past the consistency and excitement machines of Julie Corletto and Jo Weston. While both players possess different traits they share the common position of goal defence, along with a tagging ability to dog their goalers off their aim and with it a certain flair and ability to buckle down and get the job done. Both players also have the ability to rotate into wing defence where required to add some extra pressure around the goal circle, with the speed and endurance to run the opposition off their feet. Looking back home, Corletto was part of the inaugural Melbourne Vixens merger in 2008, while Weston has played with the Vixens since 2014.

With 52 caps to her name, Corletto is just one of a number of quality defenders in recent years who well and truly changed the game with her class, tenacity and bodywork doing much of the talking. While her time in the Australian Diamonds was staggered with injury, her drive to push harder with every effort was a real testament to her courage on the court, famously playing through a broken foot in the 2015 Netball World Cup final – and coming away with victory. Corletto was an electric player, always darting around the court and nullifying her opposition’s influence across the court thanks to her timing and closing speed. She ended her career on the ultimate high at the end of the 2015 final, and is one of a few Diamonds who played in three Netball World Cup titles throughout her decorated career. Corletto often shared the spotlight with Mo’Onia Gerrard and Bec Bulley, with the trio all able to offer different defensive options throughout their respective times in the green and gold.

Weston’s hands over pressure and ability to impact the play is the real game changer in the current Diamonds, with the defender holding down a starting position for much of the past few international series’. Typically going nowhere without a smile on her face, Weston is composed and clinical in her effort on the court, often running the ball down the court and keeping a steady hand through the midcourt. Her smothering defensive pressure allows her goal keeper to man the fort and a she has knack for pouncing on the loose ball, making her a real contender around the court. Weston’s speed and timing makes her a massive threat through the midcourt as much as the goal third, able to flick ball back into court and apply hands over pressure wherever required. Weston is still a key cog through defence for the Diamonds and with Courtney Bruce continues to pressurise the defensive end to propel crucial turnover ball up the court.

_

Julie Corletto
52 caps, 2006-2015

Jo Weston
38* caps, 2015-present

*at time of publish