Albion Park’s Susan Pettitt in Commonwealth Games push

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander will use the Constellation Cup and the preceding Quad Series to help mould her national team ahead of the April Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and Pettitt is one of four goal attacks who has been given the chance to display their credentials.

Alexander has named two squads for the upcoming tournaments - Gretel Tippett and Tegan Philip will get their opportunity to partner Caitlin Bassett in the shooting circle at the Quad Series before Pettitt and Stephanie Wood are called upon for the Constellation Cup.

The coach has named the same midcourt and defensive battery for both competitions.

Pettitt returned to international action in the Quad Series earlier this year before producing a superb Super Netball season where she thrived as a shooter, and also at wing attack throughout the finals.

She made a brief appearance in the 2006 Commonwealth Games final loss to New Zealand, and was part of the silver-medal winning squad in Delhi in 2010 before being overlooked in 2014 where the Diamonds won a gold medal.

Should she impress Alexander sufficiently in the Constellation Cup in October, Pettitt could earn one last crack to fill the largest void in her trophy cabinet.

"It's always an amazing tournament and I've been very fortunate to be a part of two of them, that would obviously be something that I'd love to be part of," Pettitt said.

"It's very much up for grabs, all the girls are doing all they can to be there. Everyone's been playing really well, they've really put their hands up for selection.

"At the moment it's just about trying to get through Constellation Cup. It's good to be included in that group and it's all about combinations as well, what you can do for the team and how you combine well with the centre court and the other shooters."

Alexander has plenty to think about before settling on her preferred shooting arrangement.

Pettitt and Philip, recalled after a long layoff from the international scene, provide experience and composure.

Wood is the up and comer who was superb this year in the Sunshine Coast's premiership season, and she looms as a distinct long-term option in the Diamonds attacking circle.

Then there's the enigmatic Tippett - unorthodox but super effective and a genuine X factor should Alexander lean her way.

The coach was loyal to a stack of her charges when picking her latest squad.

There was no place for Sunshine Coast duo Kelsey Browne or Laura Scherian, or Giants goal keeper Sam Poolman who took her game to a new level this season.

"It's tough, Sam had a really good season and, credit to her, she worked really hard, she's doing everything she can and things are out of your control sometimes," Pettitt said.

"There's quality all over the team. It would've been very hard to select the squad, so unfortunately some amazing players miss out.

"Hopefully it keeps motivation for Sam and she keeps working hard and maybe one day she'll get that call up."

The squad will convene in Canberra on July 18 for a week-long camp where they will vote on the next Diamonds captain, a role usually held by Laura Geitz, who gave birth to her first child earlier this year.

Australia's first fixture of the international season is against England at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on July 26, which is expected to include Super Netball stars Jo Harten, Serena Guthrie and Geva Mentor.

Australia v England, August 26, Brisbane

Australia v South Africa, August 30, Canberra

Australia v New Zealand, September 3, Invercargill

New Zealand v Australia, October 5, Auckland

New Zealand v Australia, October 8, Christchurch

Australia v New Zealand, October 11, Adelaide

​Australia v New Zealand, October 14, Sydney

Caitlin Bassett (Western Australia, Sunshine Coast Lightning)

April Brandley (New South Wales, Collingwood Magpies)

Courtney Bruce (Western Australia, West Coast Fever)

Paige Hadley (New South Wales, NSW Swifts)

Sharni Layton (Victoria, Collingwood Magpies)

Emily Mannix (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens)

Kate Moloney (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens)

Caitlyn Nevins (Victoria, Queensland Firebirds)

Susan Pettitt (New South Wales, GIANTS Netball)

Tegan Philip (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens)

Kim Ravaillion (New South Wales, Collingwood Magpies)

Madi Robinson (Victoria, Collingwood Magpies)

Gabi Simpson (New South Wales, Queensland Firebirds)

Caitlin Thwaites (Victoria, Collingwood Magpies)

Gretel Tippett (Queensland, Queensland Firebirds)

Liz Watson (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens)

Jo Weston (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens)

Stephanie Wood (Queensland, Sunshine Coast Lightning)