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Diamonds must sparkle

Diamonds must sparkle

Performances in the next two rounds of the ANZ Championship will be vital in shaping the Australian Diamonds squad for the Commonwealth Games, according to national coach Lisa Alexander.

Alexander was in Perth on Sunday to watch West Coast Fever's round-three demolition of Mainland Tactix at Challenge Stadium, with several local players catching the eye.

The Diamonds mentor said the team for the Games in Glasgow would be picked after round seven, leaving little time for players to impress.

"They need to be making sure that each week counts and they're putting those consistent performances together," Alexander said.

"These next two matches are very, very important in terms of them putting themselves forward for selection."

The Fever's goal circle of Nat Medhurst and Caitlin Bassett were the preferred combination in the Constellation Cup win last year and were impressive against the Tactix, combining for a whopping 79 goals.

But Alexander said their performances in New Zealand over the next fortnight would be key to their chances of being first-choice in July.

"When (they) play against an Australian-style defence (they) have a bit more trouble bedding that down but we'll see over the next couple of weeks how those two combine together against New Zealand combinations," she said.

"That's what we'll be looking for as selectors, particularly against Magic, which is the New Zealand back line."

Athletic midcourter Ashleigh Brazill is also in the mix and did her Diamonds chances no harm with a lively display at wing defence.

Brazill was picked in the Diamonds squad at the end of 2012 before going down with a knee injury.

A serious ankle injury last season also halted her momentum.

"She's really been consistent in the three weeks and she is putting it all out there for us to see," Alexander said.

"We are always looking for those edges and certainly Ash can bring that to the mix.

"With Paige (Hadley) going down with her ACL, Ash will be pushing very hard for that position in the squad.

"But we have got some other great midcourters there, Liz Watson, Kate Moloney have come into the mix as well so it's going to be a great headache for the selectors.

"What Ash has been doing really well is attacking well."

Brazill said national honours were far from her mind, but believed she had a lot of upside.