West Australian goal attack Sophie Garbin excited to play with idol Caitlin Bassett for Australian Diamonds

Sophie Garbin could go from growing up idolising Australian netball star Caitlin Bassett to being her partner in crime in the goal circle as the Diamonds prepare to play New Zealand for the Constellation Cup. The Kalgoorlie-product is one of two options Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich is mulling over to play in goal attack in Tuesday’s opening game of the four-Test series starting in Christchurch. Garbin has spent the last few months getting familiar with the work of Bassett, who joined the 23-year-old and her NSW Swifts teammates this pre-season as she prepares to continue her career in the New Zealand domestic competition. A knee injury to Diamonds’ incumbent goal attack Steph Wood has opened up the opportunity for Garbin to wear the green and gold for the first time, an honour she didn’t expect at this point of her career. “It’s so crazy to look and see all the girls around us like Caitlin Bassett, someone who I was a bit of a fan girl of growing up... “I had that kind of pinch-me moment being here in the training environment,” Garbin said. “She is someone that I’ve growing up idolising a bit, so the opportunity to play with her would be a bit of a dream come true. “We were so lucky that she could come in and train with us because I have played with Cara (Koenen) and Kiera (Austin) before, so I’ve got a little bit of experience with them. “Even her leadership she brings to the group as well I think was just great for our team (NSW) and to have Sarah (Klau) be able to practise on her at training, the intensity was definitely up there. “I probably wasn’t expecting it (the call up) so soon. It’s obviously been a goal of mine since I can remember, so for it to actually be a possibility to actually get out on court and debut for Australia would be amazing.” Making her maiden Diamonds tour even more special is the fact Garbin’s sharing it with good friend, West Coast Fever’s Jess Anstiss. “It’s pretty crazy, we were actually talking about it the other night and said that our Mums are spewing that they can’t be over here,” Garbin said. “I was in my first under age state team with Jess and we became best friends then and we’ve been best friends since. “It’s pretty cool we’re both here and potentially making our debut at the same time.”