THROUGHOUT Diamonds history there has been a host of star players rotate through both the goal defence and wing defence position. Since entering a new decade we decided to rank the top five defenders from 1990 to now. This is an opinion-based article based on the perceptions of the individual writer and how they rank against other defenders. The likes of Rebecca Bulley and Claire McMeniman were also among contention but fell just short of making it into our top five.

#1 Julie Corletto
Corletto possessed all the class and composure in the world with the talented defender able to make something out of nothing more times than not. She was a highly skilled player able to read the play and swoop in to take an impressive intercept credit to her quick feet. The former Australian Diamond and Melbourne Vixens veteran consistently showcased her versatility, able to switch between wing defence and goal defence with ease. Most importantly though was her on-court leadership, able to control the flow in defence and provide assistance down the court to transition play from one end to the other. Despite being plagued with injuries throughout her career, Corletto was a key cog in the Australian defensive unit helping her side to three consecutive World Cup championships and Commonwealth gold.

#2 Renae Ingles
Arguably one of the most influential wing defences in Diamonds history, able to run opponents off their feet and dictate the surrounding space. Ingles is renowned for her ability to shut down wing attacks with her smothering pressure, long reach and silky movement across the court. Her balance around the circle edge and general netball nous is second to none, consistently imposing herself on the contest. Throughout her career, Ingles also showcased her attacking side able to drive the ball down the court and re-offer on the transverse line to help set up any attacking forays. She was deceptively quick, able to get hands to ball time and time again. Ingles has had a decorated career winning four domestic premierships along with a Commonwealth gold medal and World Championship.

#3 Mo’onia Gerrard
The former Adelaide Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts defender left a lasting imprint on the Australian defensive line-up thanks to her physicality and ability to hunt the ball. Gerrard was not afraid to put her body on the line, often throwing herself into the contest in hope of winning the ball. She wore her opponents down consistently, pestering them with her physical presence and taunting style of game play. She played majority of her career in goal defence but highlighted her versatility switching to wing defence and providing a constant threat with her quick feet and timely tips to disrupt any attacking flow. Unlucky with injury, Gerrard missed the 2006 Commonwealth Games but played a significant role in the later World Cup wins while her domestic career was also riddled with highlights.

#4 Gabi Simpson
Simpson can change up her game play with ease but is best known for her tagging style of play, consistently wearing her competitor down and clogging up space. She uses her speed off the mark to full advantage, repetitively getting hands to ball and stopping any free-flowing play in attack. She is dynamic across the court, able to chop off errant passes while her leadership is impressive, renowned for her ability to stand up when needed. The Queensland Firebirds captain is no stranger to the big stage using her quick footwork, impressive leap and balance to get around the body of her opponent and hustle them for the ball. She is a true game changer and has proven so on multiple occasions especially domestically with back-to-back premierships in 2015-16.

#5 Ash Brazill
There is no denying that Brazill is in a league of her own, credit to her sheer athleticism and ability to find loose ball. The talented wing defence has speed to boot, able to dart around the court seamlessly while providing a constant defensive threat. She has an uncanny ability to do the unthinkable and use her read of the play to pick off cross-court passes. Brazill is not afraid of the physicality, using her Aussie rules background to full advantage and taking the game on. Although she has just burst onto the international scene, she has been plying her trade for years at the domestic level allowing her clever body position and skill to shut down players do all the talking. Her transition work down the court is a key element of her game, weaving the ball through the thirds, and while she is not renowned for her ability to shut down players, given her flashy style she is more than capable.