Dynamic duo: Garbin and Austin reach 50 Diamonds Tests

Melbourne Vixens teammates Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin have each reached 50 Test matches for the Australian Diamonds, with both players reaching the milestone during their time in Vixens colours.

Austin played her 50th Test at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, while Garbin reached the milestone during the Diamonds’ recent Constellation Cup series against the New Zealand Silver Ferns.

For the Vixens, the achievement carries added significance. Garbin and Austin are not only established international players; they are central figures in the Vixens' attacking end, and their continued growth at Super Netball level has coincided with major success in the green and gold.

Austin’s rise in Vixens colours

Kiera Austin joined the Vixens in 2022 after establishing herself with GIANTS Netball and has since developed into one of the club’s most influential leaders.

As vice-captain of the Melbourne Vixens, Austin played the third-most minutes in the league in 2026, recording 394 points at 79 per cent accuracy. She led the league with 60 super shots at a career-high 61.9 per cent accuracy, while also ranking fourth in the league for centre pass receives and ninth for goal assists.

Her impact extended beyond scoring. Austin made 12 gains in 2026, continuing a remarkable run as one of netball’s most defensively involved attacking players.

Internationally, her career highlights include Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 and the 2023 Netball World Cup, where she was named Player of the Match in Australia’s final win over England. Her 50th Test at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games marked another major step in a career that has continued to develop alongside her growing leadership role at the Vixens.

Garbin’s immediate impact

Sophie Garbin arrived at the Vixens ahead of the 2024 season and made an immediate impression.

In her first year in Melbourne, she was awarded the Liz Ellis Diamond as Australia’s best netballer and was also named International Player of the Year. Two years later, she capped another standout campaign with her first Sharelle McMahon Medal as the Vixens’ most valuable player.

Across 2026, Garbin recorded her most goal assists in a Vixens season, as well as her second-highest feed count in a Super Netball season, despite spending most of her time at goal shooter. She averaged 54.1 net points per game, continuing to lift her career average.

After making her Diamonds debut in 2021, Garbin has become a key part of Australia’s attacking group, including playing a crucial role in the Diamonds’ 2023 Netball World Cup triumph.

Her 50-Test milestone came in Auckland during the opening match of the 2026 Constellation Cup, where she top-scored for the Diamonds with 20 goals from 21 attempts across two quarters on court.

A partnership blossomed in Melbourne

Garbin and Austin first combined for Australia in the 2023 Netball World Cup final, coming on in the second quarter and scoring 42 of the Diamonds’ 61 goals in the win over England. When Garbin joined the Vixens for 2024, that connection moved to Melbourne, and the pair have since become the club’s core shooting duo.

Austin’s super shot range and ability to create and move the ball make her a versatile attacking threat, while Garbin’s composure and finishing provide a steady presence under the post. In 2026, the Vixens’ goaling group recorded the second-best super shot accuracy in the league at 55 per cent, underlining the efficiency and flexibility of the team’s attacking end.

Their shared success reflects more than individual talent. It also speaks to the standards and environment at the Vixens, where two players have continued to develop into leaders for both club and country.

What it means for the Vixens

Reaching 50 Tests is a major national achievement, but for the Vixens it also underlines the quality of the club’s attacking group.

Garbin and Austin helped the Vixens reach a third consecutive Super Netball grand final in 2026, with both players among the league’s most influential attackers.

Their international experience, on-court understanding and established partnership will remain central to the Melbourne Vixens’ push to go one better in 2027, making this duo one of the most compelling reasons to follow the Vixens in the upcoming Super Netball season.

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