Donnell Wallam's near 1000 day absence from international netball is set to come to an end on Wednesday night.
The Noongar shooter has been named in the Diamonds' 12-player team for game two of the Constellation Cup in Christchurch, as the visitors look to respond to their six goal loss to New Zealand in Sunday's series opener.
Wallam played her last of six Tests to date against Uganda at the Netball Nations Cup in January 2024.
Games against South Africa and England preceded in the previous 18 months, including a fairytale start for Australia against the Roses.
The 32-year-old is yet to face New Zealand in the national strip.
Her inclusion in Stacey Marinkovich will add a different option in the shooting circle as a holding option under the ring against the Commonwealth Games gold medallists.
Wallam isn't a stranger to netball in Aotearoa.
Before returning to Super Netball with Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2026, she helped Auckland-based outfit Northern Mystics to the 2025 ANZ Championship grand final in a sole season across the Tasman.
Ahead of next year's Super Netball season — where Wednesday night's opposition players will feature heavily — Wallam re-signed with the Lightning.
New Zealand captain Karin Burger is a teammate at the Lightning, and a potential matchup during the game.
Diamonds vice-captain Kate Moloney also returns after missing game one, with Jamie-Lee Price set to miss with a calf injury.
Cara Koenen, Wallam's former shooting partner at the Lightning and recent Queensland Firebirds signing, makes way for the change up at the top of the court.
In October 2022, Wallam made history as the third-ever First Nations netballer to represent Australia, after trailblazer Marcia Ella-Duncan and two-time World Cup winner Sharon Finnan-White.
After being brought on late in the match, her debut ended with the shooter clinching a final moments win over England.
The Silver Ferns made a statement early on in the opening match of the Constellation Cup in Auckland at the weekend.
A 10-goal lead in the host's favour separated the two sides at half time.
At three quarter time, a 13 goal to 11 term goal made the scoreline read 45-33 before Australia rallied to take something out of the contest.
The Diamonds' 17 goals to 11 late in the piece set the final score at 56-50, with something to lean on.
Australia have won three of the last four Constellation Cups.
The four game series, often decided on aggregate, went to an extra-time mini match to determine the victors in 2025.
New Zealand claimed the 2024 series with a 3-1 return.
After Wednesday, the series across to Australia for games three and four in Sydney and Melbourne.
