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AAP
Anna Harrington

Diamonds wrap up Comm Games prep with Jamaica drubbing

Australia have wrapped up a clean sweep of their netball series against Jamaica. (Dylan Burns/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia have wrapped up preparations for their Commonwealth Games title defence and celebrated captain Liz Watson's 100th Test in style with an 80-33 smashing of Jamaica.

The No.1 Diamonds had already wrapped up the three-match series with thumping victories in Adelaide and Perth.

But with Wednesday night's match at John Cain Arena the last before Australia heads to Glasgow aiming to win back-to-back gold for the first time, coach Stacey Marinkovich made it clear there was plenty gained.

"The girls spoke about it quite a bit as to how we wanted to finish the series off, and how we want to continue to drive standards from within and not have external people or teams or any kind of expectation being the driver," Marinkovich said. 

"The way in which they attacked each quarter with the combinations that we had out there just shows that they're growing in confidence and there's a real connection and cohesion out there.

"We've got quite a lot out of it."

Liz Watson.
Liz Watson has celebrated her 100th Test for Australia with a comfortable win over Jamaica. (Dylan Burns/AAP PHOTOS)

Wednesday's 47-goal triumph brought Australia's highest score and biggest winning margin of the series, sealing a clean sweep.

Melburnian Watson, player of the match and player of the series, became the sixth Australian, and the first midcourter, to reach 100 Tests.

Only Liz Ellis (122), Sharelle McMahon (118), Catherine Cox (108), Vicki Wilson (104) and Caitlin Bassett (102) have played more.

"The team just has so much respect for her. She leads by example. She's so humble," Marinkovich said. 

"She certainly didn't want this this time to be about her, but we certainly made sure that she was aware of how incredible it was."

Defender Courtney Bruce added of the "incredible" Watson: "Lizzie is such the heart and soul of this team. 

"She is an amazing person on and off the court, and she's the kind of captain that you want to follow into a battle."

Liz Watson.
Watson was honoured as she took to the court for her 100th game for Australia. (Dylan Burns/AAP PHOTOS)

Cara Koenen, in her 50th test, (23/25) dominated early while starting centre Jamie-Lee Price (18 goal assists) was sensational.

Watson (18 assists) was excellent while Garbin (30/33) picked up where Koenen left off.

Gezelle Allison (20/24) was Jamaica's top scorer.

Koenen shot a perfect 14/14 as Australia claimed an 18-6 quarter-time lead.

Under-strength Jamaica, who are without pregnant superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, stretched Australia early in the second quarter as they changed up their ball movement.

Leading by 17 at halftime, Marinkovich shuffled her line-up, including moving Watson from wing attack to centre.

Cara Koenen.
Cara Koenen led Australia up front with 23 goals from 25 attempts. (Dylan Burns/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia piled on the goals from there to complete the rout.

There were no concerns over either Kiera Austin (shoulder) nor Koenen (ankle), who shrugged off knocks.

The Diamonds kick off their Games title defence against England on July 26 and are in Pool A with the Roses, South Africa, Malawi, Tonga and Northern Ireland, while Jamaica are in Pool B.

Jamaica's Sasher-Gaye Henry labelled the loss a "tough one" but expected the Sunshine Girls to take plenty from the experience.

"It's good for us, in terms of us going back home, putting together that squad for Commonwealth Games, and just fixing all the shortfalls that we definitely have," Henry said.

"It's (been) a good test, because Australia is the best in the world right now."

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