The Diamonds’ gold medal defence at the Commonwealth Games is over after a dramatic after-the-siren loss to Jamaica.
Australia’s three-goal burst reduced Jamaica’s lead to one goal with 36 seconds remaining in Glasgow, setting the stage for a thriller.
A frantic finish ended with Jamaica penalised and the ball in the hands of Sophie Dwyer, who had a chance to level the score after the siren.
But Jamaica prevailed 46-45 after Dwyer’s shot missed, with teammates rushing to support her as Australia were consigned to a bronze-medal match against England.
The 2022 Birmingham champions had walked into Saturday’s semi-final as the overwhelming favourites after bulldozing their way through five pool matches without breaking a sweat.
But the world No.1 outfit was left shellshocked in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Hydro that included William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Diamonds crumbled under relentless pressure brought by the Sunshine Girls, who will face New Zealand in the final.
Australia trailed by three goals at quarter-time before playing catch-up to make it level at 35-35 at the final break.
The two nations went goal for goal until a bad pass from Kiera Austin near the edge of the circle opened the door for Jamaica’s ascendancy.
The Diamonds’ all-star attacking partnership of Melbourne Vixens pair Austin and Sophie Garbin struggled to hit top gear against Jamaican defenders Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson.
Just as she did in last month’s Super Netball grand final, Adelaide Thunderbirds star Sterling-Humphrey nullified Vixens shooter Garbin (four goals/four goal attempts).
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich pulled the pin after the first break, putting veteran Cara Koenen (18/20) in Garbin’s place.
At the other end, goalkeeper Courtney Bruce gave away a whopping 14 contact penalties and five obstruction penalties against West Coast Fever veteran Romelda Aiken-George (29/32) before being subbed off for Sarah Klau in the second half.
Australia had a healthy travelling contingent to support them at the Hydro, but it was the Jamaicans who had the Scottish crowd on side.
Jamaica will vie for their first gold medal, while the Silver Ferns defeated England in their semi and are now one win away from snapping their 16-year Games title drought.
The Silver Ferns haven’t won gold since the 2010 Delhi Games, where they defeated Australia to defend their 2006 Melbourne title.
New Zealand have also been absent from the past two gold medal matches since finishing runners-up in 2014, the world No.2 settling for fourth in 2018 and bronze in 2022.
But they won’t be at full strength for Sunday’s final after highly-rated defender Catherine Hall ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during their pool victory over Wales.
Goal attack Georgia Heffernan also suffered an ankle injury against Wales, but played through soreness to help New Zealand beat England.
Heffernan fired off nine goals from 10 attempts against and provided 15 goal assists to support star shooter Grace Nweke, who finished with 52 goals from 57 attempts.
