Australia's final netball Test for 2013 might be against an unheralded opponent but captain Laura Geitz says the team has worked too hard to take Saturday's clash with Malawi on the Gold Coast lightly.
The Diamonds backed up their impressive 4-1 Constellation Cup series win over New Zealand with an 83-34 defeat of the Africans in Wollongong on Wednesday headphone stand.
A series-clinching victory is the likely result in Saturday's second and final Test but Geitz is challenging her team to end the year in style, especially in what might be one of the last hitouts for the Diamonds before next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
"It's really important that we're proving a point every time we take the court - that we do mean business and that we are in that quest to get the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games," Geitz told reporters on Friday.
After being appointed captain ahead of the series against the Silver Ferns, Geitz believes she's starting to settle into her role as the team's leader.
A victory on Saturday would mean she goes into the off-season with a very respectable six wins from seven Tests as Australian captain.
The clash with Malawi will also be the first time the Queensland Firebird has led her country in her home state.
"Within the team itself Ergonomic desk, there's a really good culture growing at the moment," she said.
"There's a good vibe among the girls and something we don't want to underestimate; something we really want to build."
Malawi, led by gun shooter Mwai Kumwenda, will be determined to bounce back with an improved display in the second Test.
Diamonds' coach Lisa Alexander, who singled out Caitlin Thwaites for praise after her 41 points from 42 attempts in the second half of the series opener, said complacency had been a main talking point ahead of Saturday's clash.
"This group's really developed a good aura about it," Alexander said.
"It's been very deliberate and I just reminded the group then about high standards and the fact complacency can creep in at any time.
"We've really looked each other in the eye and said this has to be high quality and intense.
"We want to make sure that tomorrow night's match is the best match of the whole series and the Queensland fans get to see us at our best custom embroidered patches."
Saturday's Test begins at 7pm AEST (8pm AEDT). |
