AFTER yet another heartbreaking one-goal loss many Diamonds fans are up in arms asking what needs to be done for Australia to win? Jumping out of the blocks in the first quarter with a six-goal lead, the Silver Ferns pegged their way back into the match with the likes of experienced heads Laura Langman and Maria Folau standing up. The Aussies had no answers for the Ferns onslaught with the attack end thrown into disarray with coach Lisa Alexander making a host of changes in hope to find the winning combination. Is it time for a new look shooting combination? We look at the statistics across the past three games and the potential starting goal circle ahead of the next and final match on Sunday.

Caitlin Bassett:

62 from 71 at 87 per cent, 11 turnovers, 5 penalties, 11 feeds

The captain is no stranger to the big stage able to hold her space under the post and command the ball with her height and reach but has struggled to get off the body at times throughout the Constellation Cup. Renowned for her typical holding style the Ferns have her game plan well and truly worked out applying a wealth of physical pressure and forcing her wide. Bassett often draws the attention of both defenders credit to her skill and dominance under the post using her height to reel in errant passes. Her lack of variety or predictability can be costly at times in the attack end for the Diamonds.

Tegan Philip:

13 from 17 at 76 per cent, 7 turnovers, 3 penalties, 10 feeds

After making it back into the Diamonds side, Philip has offered a point of difference in the attacking third with her dynamic movement, speed and ability to nip around the court and re-offer. Her connection with Thwaites is unquestionable with the two able to rotate through the circle with ease and make for a damaging combination. However, she can go missing at key stages in big games with a couple of crucial misses in the dying minutes of Game 3. Despite those hiccups she has presented well throughout the tournament providing a viable option and working hard to receive the ball and set up plays off the ball. She did not play the first game but has been used as impact player in the past couple of games.

Caitlin Thwaites:

18 from 19 at 95 per cent, 0 turnovers, 2 penalties, 1 feed

Thwaites definitely packs a punch, with the Melbourne Vixens shooter able to score from anywhere in the circle. She can switch up her game play from a holding shooter to a moving goaler credit to her netball nous making her a damaging prospect for the Diamonds. Stuck behind Bassett at times she has been starved of opportunities but her last quarter performance in Game 3 showcased her explosiveness and accuracy nailing 16 goals from 17 attempts. Her movement and strength makes her hard to stop when given the chance with her clever baseline drives, rolls of the body and deceptive aerial skills. Thwaites did not play the second game but after last games performance will be hoping to get the nod for Game 4.

Gretel Tippett:

60 from 62 at 97 per cent, 10 turnovers, 18 penalties, 20 feeds

Arguably Australia’s greatest asset both in the goal circle and across the attacking third. Her dynamic movement and sheer strength is hard to match paired with her towering height Tippett is a true game changer. She can blow games wide open if given enough time and space while her athletic flair keeps defenders guessing. She has only missed two goals throughout the Constellation Cup sitting at 60 from 62 attempts highlighting her improved accuracy and ability to hurt the opposition. Although she is costly at times in terms of turnovers Tippett is a real barometer for the Diamonds given her ability to work both ways in attack and defence.