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AAP
AAP
Joanna Guelas

'Different ball game' for Diamonds as Jamaica looms

Cara Koenen and the Diamonds are ready to renew their rivalry with Jamaica in a high-stakes match. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Cara Koenen knows the Diamonds would be wrong to expect a cakewalk to Commonwealth Games gold as they gear up for a "do or die" semi-final against Jamaica.

The undefeated Diamonds are the overwhelming favourites to take out the title in Glasgow after a ruthless start to their campaign, which continues with their semi at 6pm AEST on Saturday.

Just as they had done at almost every Games since the sport first joined the program in 1998, Australia went five from five pool matches.

Australia players celebrate
The Diamonds have rarely had to get out of second gear in Glasgow. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

There has been only one country across seven Games to have beaten the netball world No.1 side in the group stage: Jamaica.

The Sunshine Girls pulled off a 57-55 upset over Australia at the 2022 Birmingham Games, but missed out on a maiden netball gold medal after losing 55-51 when the rivals met again in the gold-medal match.

This time in Glasgow, Jamaica are without Super Netball icon Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard after the 198cm-tall West Coast Fever shooter gave birth to her second child Joshua in April.

Without Fowler-Nembhard, Australia smashed Jamaica with a clean sweep across three matches earlier this year for the perfect Games preparation.

But star Diamonds goalshooter Koenen says Australia won't be taking victory for granted.

A graphic illustration created
The Diamonds are bidding to go back to back in Glasgow. (Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS)

"We're definitely not approaching that with any level of complacency," the 2022 gold medallist told AAP.

"Having won those games in February, we know that a semi-final is a whole different ball game.

"It's do or die, so you've got to make it work.

"It's just who brings that game-day mentality and who's able to have more strings to their bow.

"The coaches have really instilled a lot of confidence in the group and how much depth we have in our playing group.

"I'm feeling good going into the weekend."

Cara Koenen of Australia competes
Cara Koenen believes the Diamonds have the depth to get the job done in their semi-final. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Jamaica have suffered one defeat en route to the semi-finals, losing 53-48 to the Silver Ferns.

Initially calling time in 2025, Romelda Aiken-George has led the way in attack after being lured out of retirement as cover for fellow Fever star Fowler-Nembhard.

Newly-crowned Adelaide Thunderbirds premiership players Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson have held up Jamaica's defence.

The Diamonds will be using intel from Thunderbirds duo Matilda Garrett and Georgie Horjus, but Koenen said the street goes both ways.

"We are probably at an advantage and a disadvantage having played and faced quite a few of their players in Super Netball week in and week out," Koenen said.

"We'll definitely have a think back to February, but then have a look at what they've been doing this week as well.

"We see quite a bit of New Zealand and England and things like that, so I think February was awesome preparation for us."

World No.2 Silver Ferns take on 2018 Gold Coast champions England in the other Commonwealth Games semi.

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