They\u2019ll now meet rivals Jamaica in Saturday\u2019s semi final with the winner to go through to the gold medal match.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
But first they had to get through their clash with Northern Ireland unscathed.<\/p>\n
The Warriors were no match for the world No.1 Diamonds in the 88-27 result in a match where star Cara Koenen stamped her claim for a starting spot with an incredible 57 goals at 98% in three quarters of game time.<\/p>\n
She became just the fifth player this tournament to reach the magical 50-goal mark, with her efforts now equal best with Malawi\u2019s Mwai Kumwenda – who also achieved her feat against Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Fellow goaler Kiera Austin was the only Aussie not to get on court during Friday morning\u2019s match, with young Georgie Horjus (5\/7 goals) getting her first opportunity at goal attack.<\/p>\n
Despite a wealth of on-court changes, triple international Cat Tuivaiti praised the \u201cjuggernaut\u201d Australia were proving to be as they now go into finals unbeaten in the Pool stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe built throughout that game \u2013 the girls came out firing at the start,\u201d vice-captain Kate Moloney praised post-match.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve put ourselves in a really good position heading into these play-off games.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you play for the Diamonds, you always feel like you\u2019ve got a little target on your back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it\u2019s going to be hard \u2013 we\u2019ll need to bring our best netball to beat anyone on the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia’s Cara Koenen was a standout on Friday morning.Source: AP<\/p>\n
It was a horror start for Northern Ireland as they were left \u201cshell shocked\u201d by the Diamonds, and then lost midcourter Evelyn McCagherty in bizarre scenes in the opening term.<\/p>\n
It took almost three minutes for the Warriors to even find their first goal – and by then Australia already had seven.<\/p>\n
Their match soured further when McCagherty literally ran off court midway through the quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe immediately looked at the bench, looked at her coaching staff and said I\u2019ve got to go!\u201d Sue Gaudion said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s just bolted out of the stadium!<\/p>\n
\u201cThe medical staff have followed her; hopefully she\u2019s OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Cara Koenen proving unstoppable for the Diamonds with 22 goals at 100% in the opening term, it was looking like a training run.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are looking defeated,\u201d Gaudion said of the Warriors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re going to get an absolute bullet at quarter time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd so they should,\u201d Tuivaiti replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking deflated – we haven\u2019t even got through the first quarter!\u201d<\/p>\n
Highlighting Australia\u2019s dominance was the stunning stat of 44 circle feeds compared to Northern Ireland\u2019s nine in the opening quarter.<\/p>\n
By the first change it was Australia holding a 27-6 buffer.<\/p>\n
Michelle Magee came from the court with a back complaint.Source: SUPPLIED<\/p>\n
The Warriors\u2019 woes rolled on in the second with goal keeper Michelle Magee coming from the court with a back injury.<\/p>\n
And while McCagherty was able to return to the sidelines, she sat away from teammates on the bench leaving only three fit players for Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
And the Diamonds cashed in.<\/p>\n
At the main break, it was Australia leading 47-10. Notably, it was 47 goals at 100% for the Diamonds with Koenen nailing 40 of those.<\/p>\n
Coach Stacey Marinkovich almost emptied her bench for the third, with Jamie-Lee Price and Courtney Bruce brought on in WD and GD, Kate Moloney onto centre and Sophie Garbin in goal shooter.<\/p>\n
Only Kiera Austin remained on the sidelines as the Diamonds continued to press on.<\/p>\n
It looked like Northern Ireland finally settled in this match, racking up as many goals in the opening seven minutes as they did the entire first quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems a bit more freedom! And they\u2019ve drained a long bomb!\u201d Cath Cox said as the Warriors found their first successive goals of the match.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland landed 12 goals in the third term – more than they had in the entire first half, but still trailed 66-22 at the final change.<\/p>\n
Marinkovich turned back to what worked earlier in the contest with Koenen returned at GS and Matilda Garrett back at GD, while Kate Moloney shifted to WD, Price to C and Watson back at WA.<\/p>\n
And just like the first half, the Diamonds punished at every opportunity.<\/p>\n
Georgie Horjus saw her first minutes at goal attack this Commonwealth Games.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Georgie Horjus got her first minutes at GA in this Commonwealth Games, but couldn\u2019t nail her first attempt.<\/p>\n
She did land her first goal moments later in a moment Horjus has previously described as a \u201cdream come true\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 61-goal win has left coach Marinkovich plenty to ponder for her starting seven heading into tomorrow\u2019s semi final given the form of Koenen.<\/p>\n
Sarah Klau finished the pick of the defenders with seven gains, including three intercepts.<\/p>\n
STARTING SEVEN: GS Koenen, GA Dwyer, WA Horjus, C Watson, WD Weston, GD Garrett, GK Klau<\/p>\n
10-PLAYER NEW ZEALAND MAKE HISTORY<\/p>\n