Diamonds vice-captain Kim Green always thought she might retire from international netball after the World Cup, she was just waiting and hoping for that fairytale ending.
It came on Sunday in the form of a second world title triumph for the 29-year-old midcourter, who played her 74th and final Test in Australia's 58-55 decider against New Zealand in Sydney.
Green's performance was pivotal - a tireless fight against relentless Silver Ferns wing defence Kayla Cullen as she racked up 32 feeds despite her body screaming at her to stop.
"After the whistle blew, there was a slight sigh of relief and then just excitement," said Green, who made her Australian debut in 2008 against New Zealand in Christchurch.
"I'm just over the moon at the moment, you can't wipe the smile off my face I'm so excited.
"I knew from the beginning of this year that's something that would definitely be on the cards for me, and going into a grand final like that and winning, it can't be better."
Green's World Cup campaign lifted her into the top 10 most capped Australian players of all time, in what she described as her career's biggest highlight.
Having told coach Lisa Alexander and other staff of her decision after the match, she waited until Monday to break the news to teammates.
"To be honest there's not that much shock in camp," she said.
"I've been around for a long time and accomplished so many things.
"It's just that time for me."
Green joins retiring defender Julie Corletto in exiting the national set-up, the start of a transition process as the Diamonds enter a new four-year World Cup cycle.
She hailed the depth of the Australian squad, including up-and-coming midcourter Paige Hadley, as more than capable of taking the Diamonds to a fourth straight title in 2019.
Green will continue to play with her trans-Tasman side the NSW Swifts, having signed on for another season in July.
She was looking forward to taking four months off netball before starting pre-season and then a bid to go one better than last season's ANZ Championship grand final loss to the Queensland Firebirds.
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