Jamaica produced one of the biggest upsets in Commonwealth Games netball history by defeating defending champions Australia 46-45 in a pulsating semi-final at the Hydro on Saturday. The victory sends the Sunshine Girls into their first final since 2018, while Australia will miss the gold-medal match for the first time since netball was introduced to the Games in 1998.
Heart-stopping finish
In a match that was widely considered the best of the tournament, Australia fought back from a late deficit to narrow Jamaica's lead to just one goal with 36 seconds remaining. With the crowd on its feet, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, Australia's Sophie Dwyer had a chance to level the scores with a close-range shot after the final siren. However, her attempt missed, sparking wild celebrations from the Jamaican players and their supporters.
The result means Australia, the dominant force in Commonwealth netball since the sport's inclusion, will not feature in the gold-medal match for the first time in 26 years. Jamaica's victory was built on a disciplined defensive effort and clinical shooting under pressure, with their shooters converting 46 of their 53 attempts (87%).
England's semi-final heartbreak
Earlier in the day, England's hopes of reaching the final were dashed in a 61-54 defeat to New Zealand, a scoreline that flattered the Roses. The Silver Ferns, despite missing key defender Catherine Hall due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, controlled the match from start to finish.
New Zealand's goal attack Georgia Heffernan, who played through an ankle injury sustained against Wales, contributed nine goals and 15 assists. But it was the towering Grace Nweke who proved unstoppable. The 6ft 4in goal shooter scored 52 goals from 57 attempts, leaving England's defence with no answers.
Bronze medal match ahead
England will now face Australia in the bronze medal match on Sunday, a repeat of the 2022 encounter where New Zealand took the bronze. Eleanor Cardwell, a member of that England team, emphasized the need to regroup and fight for a medal.
“I don't want that feeling again,” said Cardwell. “I think that's going to add extra fuel to the fire. We need to really want it tomorrow, and I know we really want it, we want to come away with a medal. Obviously, the bronze isn't all we wanted, but that's the one that we are going to fight for now. We've got to go back, recover well and have the conversation about what we're going to do tomorrow.”
New Zealand will face Jamaica in the final, with both teams seeking their first Commonwealth Games netball gold since 2010 (New Zealand) and 2002 (Jamaica). The final is scheduled for Sunday at the Hydro, with the bronze medal match preceding it.
