Milestone mid-courter Kim Ravaillion has revealed the excitement percolating through the Diamonds playing roster about the possible return of Laura Geitz in time for April's Commonwealth Games.
Geitz was recently added to Lisa Alexander's Australian squad for the first time since giving birth to her first child in February as the defender's quest to chase a second Commonwealth Games gold medal continues to gather momentum.
Geitz was part of a Commonwealth Games simulation camp in Canberra earlier this month but isn't with the Diamonds squad in South Africa. Australia need to beat New Zealand late on Sunday (9pm AEDT) to wrap up a Quad Series win.
Ravaillion, who will play in her 50th international against the Silver Ferns, said any future inclusion of Geitz would boost a squad already brimming with talent.
"She's not just a netballer, she brings so much belief into the group and when she speaks everybody's listening to her," Ravaillion said.
"She adds that confidence to the group, and especially me in particular. Growing up playing with Geitzy, when I was first a player in the side, she drilled confidence and belief into me and just made me feel like I had wings and I could do anything.
"She brings that into the Diamonds environment and I'm so excited with her getting into the squad. She hasn't missed a beat after having a child, it's pretty impressive."
Geitz's timely fitness only adds to the growing selection headache facing Alexander after the Quad Series when she will need to name a 12-player squad for the Commonwealth Games.
The Diamonds coach has taken 14 with her to the Quad Series, with Geitz and Sharni Layton potentially to come back in.
Layton was also a part of the simulation camp and continues to progress in her comeback after taking an extended break from the sport last year because of exhaustion.
"You actually need a bit of time off to regather and come back and dominate, which is what the two of them have done," Ravaillion said.
"I'm so proud of Sharns, obviously after her break and her circumstance. She came into the environment and then just played like she used to. It's going to be a tough decision for the selectors, they're both brilliant players. It'd be good for the team either way."
For Ravaillion, Sunday's Quad Series clash marks a whirlwind five years where she has grown from a 19-year-old drafted into the national team before playing a senior league match to a crucial member of the Diamonds engine room.
Ravaillion was in Jamaica touring with the under-21s squad in 2013 when she was called into the coach's room to take an unexpected call from Alexander.
"I thought I was in trouble because I never get called to the coach's room." Ravaillion said.
"It was Lisa Alexander [on the phone] and I was so nervous. She said, 'Hi, Kim, it's Lisa from the Australian Diamonds. I just want to let you know that you're part of our team touring the UK.'
"I swore and I was like 'are you serious?' I haven't even played a professional game, let alone an international game. I was so excited and I remember everyone was filming me - they obviously knew that my reaction was going to be crazy."
