Diamonds make call on ‘remorseful’ star Sarah Klau for Constellation Cup squad

Australia’s netball team is sticking with the notion diamonds are forever, with Sarah Klau keeping her spot in the Constellation Cup squad.

Klau was included in the Diamonds’ 14-player squad named on Tuesday, less than a week after the goalkeeper was sanctioned by Netball Australia .

The 31-year-old was handed a $5000 fine and a two-game ban - suspended for 12 months - by the sport’s national governing body.

Klau fronted Sydney’s Downing Centre Court earlier in September over a common assault charge on June 7.

She had allegedly kicked a security guard in the back outside a pub in Sydney’s eastern suburbs when she was denied entry due to being too intoxicated.

The NSW Swifts player had reportedly attended a Sydney Swans AFL match, a day after an ongoing leg injury ruled her out of the remainder of the Super Netball season.

Klau, who represented Australia on 67 occasions since her Diamonds debut in 2019, had failed to disclose the matter to NA before the Commonwealth Games in July, resulting in the sanctions.

Vice-captain Kate Moloney said she hadn’t spoken to Clau since the punishment was rendered but had checked in with messages.

“Sarah has apologised to group and is extremely remorseful for what’s happened,” she told AAP at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Cartier exhibition.

“Obviously it’s not behaviour that we want to see from our Australian Diamonds.

“She’s given an opportunity pull on that dress and I have doubt that she goes out there and plays some really good netball.”

Sophie Dwyer also retained her place after the Commonwealth Games debutant missed her after-the-siren shot in a nightmare semi-final loss to Jamaica.

The Sydney Sirens shooter was left on the bench in Australia’s bronze-medal win over England in Glasgow.

Moloney suggested much of the focus of the third-place finish had unfairly fallen on Dwyer’s shoulders.