Kiera Austin says her dynamic on-court relationship with Sophie Garbin clicks so well because the pair of Diamonds don't beat around the bush.
Goal attack Austin and goal shooter Garbin (42 goals from 45 shots) exploited New Zealand in the first Constellation Cup Test in Melbourne last Friday, scoring 90 per cent of their shots in Australia's 69-52 win.
The pair are regulars for the Diamonds, having played together in the 2023 World Cup final.
They also work their magic together for the Melbourne Vixens, who were crowned Super Netball champions in August.
Ahead of the second Constellation Cup Test against the Silver Ferns in Sydney on Wednesday, Austin said the reason they work so well together is because of the feedback they give each other.
"She (Garbin) has had a couple of years previous to this where she might have been dipping in confidence a little bit, but she's getting out there," Austin told reporters on Tuesday in Sydney.
"She's really grown in her own game, and she's playing some really confident netball, which is exciting for us.
"Netball is a very fast game. We don't really have a lot of time to beat around the bush, and we're very direct in how we want to give feedback."
Silver Ferns goal attack Martina Salmon also turned heads after linking with star shooter Grace Nweke and scoring 12 goals on Friday.
Diamonds defender Amy Parmenter said Salmon was filling the goal attack void left by World Cup winner Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
After Ekenasio announced in August she was taking a break from netball, questions arose over who would play goal attack.
Parmenter said Salmon had grabbed her opportunity with both hands.
"The goal attack role on the Fern side has had a few question marks without Amelia," she said.
"We definitely want to shut her (Salmon) down, and whichever goal attack comes out, we've got good enough goal defences to do the job."
Seven Kiwi players will also feature in Super Netball next season after New Zealand changed their eligibility rules.
Parmenter said facing potential Silver Fern players would allow the Diamonds to test themselves before future Constellation Cup series.
"There is enough depth in Australia, potentially to have more teams," she said.
"Once you get to do that (play against New Zealanders in Super Netball), the scary feeling of coming up against them dilutes.
"It'll make international netball even harder."
Australia are looking to reclaim the Constellation Cup, and lead New Zealand 1-0 in the four-game series.
