West Coast Fever midcourter Jess Anstiss is on track to achieve something rare - fulfilling a year book ambition from high school.
Anstiss cried with happiness last week after finding out she had been selected in the Diamonds' 17-person squad for the 2018 Quad Series and Constellation Cup.
The emerging star won the Fever's best and fairest award in her debut Super Netball season in 2017, and she is looking forward to making her first appearance for Australia later this year.
"It has always been a dream," Anstiss said of her international call-up.
"My friend the other day sent me a photo of my high school ambitions, and it said, 'To make the Diamonds'.
"To finally be there - I'm pretty excited."
Anstiss was able to tell her parents about the call-up last Tuesday.
But she had to keep it a secret from her Fever teammates.
Anstiss said she was emotional when Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander delivered the good news.
"I was driving to breakfast. She called me and told me to pull over," Anstiss recalled.
"As soon as she told me I bawled my eyes out.
"It was very exciting, I was very overwhelmed. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.
"I told mum straight away, and cried. And she was like, 'Why are you crying, isn't it a good thing?'"
Courtney Bruce was the other Fever player to be selected in the squad, but Verity Charles was unlucky to miss out.
However, other players can be added to the squad when the final team list is confirmed on August 31.
Bruce, who has become one of the best goalkeepers in the country, said she knew Anstiss was destined for great things.
"I've seen her come through the pathway," Bruce said.
"She had this much talent when she was 14, 15. So to see her have this opportunity now is fantastic."
Fever sit on top of the ladder with a 9-2 record, and they'll be aiming to continue their hot form against the Queensland Firebirds at Perth Arena on Saturday night.
