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Australian netballer Donnell Wallam may have been “devastated” and “emotional” after copping the brunt of criticism for the $15 million dress debacle.
But on Wednesday night, the Firebirds rookie stepped up to seal one of the most incredible wins in Diamonds history.
With seconds remaining and scores level, Wallam took the game on – opting to go for a lay up to land the match winner and drag Australia to a 55-54 win over England in Newcastle.
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“Could you have written that if you tried,” commentator Matt Russell said.
“Sport is the most magnificent theatre.
“You would never have believed that happened!”
An emotional Wallam fought back tears as she said she just played on “instinct” in those dying seconds.
“(Coach Marinkovich) Stace told me before the game, just go out there and assess the defenders … she gave me clear instructions for when I went out there,” she said.
“I was kind of relieved to finally get my chance on court.
“It’s been one of the toughest few weeks of my life.
“To get out there in this dress … it kind of makes the last couple of weeks a blur.
“All the kind messages I’ve been getting, it hasn’t gone unnoticed and it’s really helped me the last couple of weeks.”
Commentators and fans alike couldn’t believe the scenes when Wallam opted for a lay up to win the first Test.
“What a moment for her! Look at her teammates, her sisters in arms embracing her,” commentator Sam Poolman said.
“I was out of my seat.”
It’s been a remarkable journey for Wallam who just 12 months ago wasn’t even on a Super Netball list.
Wallam was only named as a pregnancy replacement for Firebird Romelda Aiken-George weeks out from the 2022 season start.
But she went on to have one of the most memorable debut seasons, finishing with 519 goals.
Wallam, only the third indigenous Diamond who had to go to England to get her first crack at professional netball, was left in tears as her teammates quickly got around her in emotional scenes at full time.
“It is the most amazing story. What a journey for her,” Poolman said.
“What a response from her!”
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New captain Paige Hadley said she was so proud of all the girls in the win over the Roses.
“Soon as Nelly run on (in the final term), it absolutely erupted (inside the arena),” Hadley said.
“For her to be composed and take that last shot as a lay up, props to her. She really won us the game.
“This group is so, so close.”
Netball great Cath Cox said it was simply a “special moment” that won’t be forgotten for Wallam, who only came on in the final term.
“The crowd went bananas,” she said.
“We are certainly proud. She’s a role model. What a wonderful representative.
“Under all sorts of pressure … she came onto the court and from the very first second, she had her hand up demanding the ball.
“She wanted to silence the critics.
“There was complete support for Donnell Wallam – it was one of those moments to go down in history.”
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