Live: Australia hoping to avoid clean sweep in Constellation Cup

The New Zealand Silver Ferns have already won the 2026 Constellation Cup for a fourth time. They lead the series 3-0 following games in Auckland, Christchurch and Sydney.So can the Australian Diamonds hold them off and avoid a clean sweep in the final game in Melbourne?Follow all the action below in our live blog.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:13pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:13pmStarting 7sAUSTRALIAThe Diamonds tried to run this line-up in game three, but a finger injury to Moloney on the opening centre pass meant they had to do a quick shuffle. Dwyer came off the bench and spent most of the game at goal attack. It'll be good to see what this line-up can do, as Stacey Marinkovich is clearly keen on testing it out.GS – Sophie GarbinGA – Georgie HorjusWA – Liz WatsonC – Kate MoloneyWD – Amy ParmenterGD – Courtney BruceGK – Jessie GrenvoldSUBS: Kiera Austin, Sophie Dwyer, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Donnell WallamWed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:10pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:10pmCaptain injury scareKarin Burger was pictured in a moon boot on Monday at the airport leaving Sydney, but has been named so we're assuming it was precautionary. The Silver Ferns confirmed she did not wear the boot yesterday or today and has been named in the team. Back in 2022, Burger was ruled out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with a navicular fracture in her right foot that required surgery. However, this seems to be an issue with the left foot.Burger pictured in a moon boot. (Facebook: Netball Talk)Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:08pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:08pmTeam changesAUSTRALIADiamonds unchanged as two of their 14 are injured. Matilda Garrett (concussion) and Jamie-Lee Price (calf) remain unavailable.NEW ZEALANDPeta Toeava replaces Kimiora Poi in the Silver Ferns match day 12 for the fourth test in Melbourne. This is the same match day 12 as the second test in Christchurch.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:05pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:05pmCan the umpires keep control?I’m hoping for a bit more display of discipline tonight . The penalty count disparity needs to be addressed by coaching staff. Can’t blame all of such a gap on iffy calls.- PhillipIn our opinion, as the physicality ramped up in the final quarter of game three, the match started to get out of hand. Players were caught underneath each other on the ground and others hit the deck hard in the contest for the ball. It's important the umpires keep control of the match so nobody gets hurt. There was physicality from both sides, as they were desperate to win. But the Aussie Diamonds again finished on top of the penalty count with 51 total to the Ferns 44.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:01pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 7:01pmGordon responds to boosIn the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, Silver Ferns midcourter Maddy Gordon was awarded possession in a contest and the 11,000 strong crowd in Sydney didn't like the call. A chorus of boos rang around the stadium and Gordon responded by mimicking a chattering mouth with her hand. A cheeky gesture that was caught on broadcast."I don't know what came over me," Gordon laughed."Oh my goodness, I honestly didn't think at the time anyone would see it, so this is quite hilarious."I was just a bit over the crowd booing blatant contact calls so that was just my reaction, a bit of an eye roll and a bit of a, you know."I back it. You know I'm all for loud and passionate crowds, love them, but just the booing yeah, got me. In that moment I just had enough … it was funny that the camera was right on me."We'll keep an eye on Maddy and see if there is any more crowd interaction in game four. Read more on the story from New Zealand Radio Sport's Bridget Tunnicliffe in the article below.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:56pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:56pmThe balance of prioritiesAmy Parmenter also told the ABC that the Diamonds had bigger priorities this series than winning the trophy. The group believes they're in a good position after trialling different combinations and playing styles for next year's World Cup."100 per cent. We've got a camp in January and really, that's about it before the actual lead in camp in July or August, so there’s really not a lot of time." Parmenter said."This is our last international game and you have to have that depth. You just don't know [what can happen in the next Super Netball season] before that World Cup."It's really exciting that we are getting a lot of young talent out there and setting ourselves up well I think."With all due respect to Amy, I'm not sure fans would agree.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:52pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:52pmDiamonds on News BreakfastOn Tuesday, Australian players Kiera Austin and Amy Parmenter appeared on ABC News Breakfast. They touched on the pressure mounting on their head coach Stacey Marinkovich to keep her job beyond her current contract that expires at the end of 2027. And were also asked if the Diamonds were unfairly held to a higher standard than other national sporting teams.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:48pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:48pmA new world order? As we’ve been banging on about all series, not only was the Constellation Cup there for the taking but so is the world number one ranking.Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua said she thought her team needed to win all four games to move from second position into World Netball's top spot, but according to people much better at maths than I, a 3-1 series victory is already enough for them to do that.Still, I'm sure they'd love to be absolutely sure and win all four matches to cement the position. The global governing body is next due to update its list on December 1st.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:43pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:43pmWhat's on the line tonightNew Zealand could do something they haven’t done in 16 years.Since the series began in 2010 it has only ever been clean swept twice (2014, 2017) and never by the Silver Ferns.There's pride at stake for the Aussies, who will do their best to try and prevent that historic defeat. But the results aren't looking great so far for them ahead of a home Netball World Cup next August in Sydney. This is their final international game before the major tournament and their last chance to build some confidence.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:40pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:40pmThe winning momentThis was the moment the Ferns realised they'd won the Constellation Cup for just the fourth time in history.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:39pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:39pmSunday's game In case you missed it, a reminder of what happened in game three in Sydney. The Diamonds were the better team for the majority of the game before being overthrown in the final quarter.In front on the scoreboard 41-39 at three-quarter time in a gripping contest, Australian fans were starting to hope before the Silver Ferns rattled off seven straight goals to begin the final quarter and wrangle control of the game.It was a frantic end to the match, the physicality went up a notch and although the Diamonds fought hard to level the score 47-all with five minutes left to play, the Silver Ferns were more disciplined defensively and slicker in transition. They treasured any possession they won back and ultimately finished the match on top 52-49. You can read our report on the match below.Wed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:32pmWed 28 Oct 2026 at 6:32pmWill it be a clean sweep?Hi there, welcome back to ABC Sport's coverage of the 2026 Constellation Cup. Brittany Carter reporting for live blogging duties ahead of the fourth and final game.The Kiwi side has been so dominant throughout this trans-Tasman contest that they head into tonight's match in Melbourne with an unassailable 3-0 lead. It's the fourth time they've claimed the trophy in 16 series and just months after winning Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow they're also on the brink of pinching the world ranking number one ranking spot from the Aussie Diamonds.SCHEDULEGame 1: Sunday 18 October, 5:40pm AEDT — AucklandNew Zealand won 56-50Game 2: Wednesday 21 October, 5:40pm AEDT — ChristchurchNew Zealand won 62-50Game 3: Sunday 25 October, 4:00pm AEDT — SydneyNew Zealand won 52-49Game 4: Wednesday 28 October, 7:30pm AEDT — Melbourne