"What a game!" That's how Australian coach Norma Plummer summed up tonight's epic match, won 36-33 by the Australian Diamonds.
Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams says, "It's a simple game, but it's hard work." And never harder than against Australia.

• See below for match line-ups, quarter scores & shooting statistics
• Click here for Michael Bradley's photos of the 3rd Test.
• Click here to buy tickets for the New World International Netball Series, Australian Diamonds v Silver Ferns, 20 & 23 September

The Australian Diamonds battled their way to a 36-33 win over the Silver Ferns in the third match of the Holden Netball Test Series in Brisbane today.

It was another epic encounter between the two great rivals, the low score indicating a tight, tense and evenly contested match throughout.

There were plenty of opportunities for both teams as the respective shooting circles suffered under the intense defensive pressure. With neither team being able to gain any decisive edge, it was the world champions who held the better control in the final quarter to keep their noses in front at the final whistle.

With the test series tied at one-all, respective coaches Ruth Aitken and Norma Plummer took contrasting stances heading into the final showdown on Australian soil.

Plummer presented an unchanged Australian Diamonds line-up from their winning seven of four days ago, the feature being captain Sharelle McMahon playing in her 100th test. The dynamic shooter became Australia's third centurion behind Liz Ellis and Vicki Wilson.

On the other hand, there were changes aplenty for the Silver Ferns with goal shoot Irene van Dyk, playing her 98th test for New Zealand, the only player named in the same position from the second test.

Paula Griffin came on at goal attack for just her second test start while Temepara George, at wing attack, and Laura Langman (centre) completed the attacking line-up. Joline Henry moved across court to wing defence, Casey Williams out to the more ranging role of goal defence and Katrina Grant slipped back to goal keeper.

The Silver Ferns gained a slight edge through an action-packed first quarter. Huge defensive efforts from both teams ensured a low-scoring opening as play swung back and forth on the back of numerous turnovers.

There was little structure at times from both teams and some ragged passing as they sought a way through strong defensive screens. The in-circle defensive duos exerted plenty of pressure ensuring the shooters found goals hard to come by. It was the Silver Ferns who gained late momentum through some good positional play by Griffin to edge into the first break 10-7 ahead.

Fortunes were reversed as the high-paced action continued in the second stanza. The Diamonds quickly brought the game back to level terms before the pair went toe-to-toe in an absorbing, physical contest.

It was the defence again who dictated terms, the ever-improving 1.96m Susan Fuhrmann spoiling a lot of the Silver Ferns' chances under the hoop. However, the Silver Ferns, spearheaded by the elusive George, who was all over the court, and the Williams/Grant partnership, also won their fair share of ball. Goals were again hard to come by but it was the Diamonds who out-pointed the visitors 11-8 to leave the scores all tied up at 18-all heading into the main break.

There was no let-up in another intense showing through a battling third quarter. The commitment from both teams was evident as every pass was defended, bodies sprawled across the court and play went goal-for-goal as nothing separated the two teams.

McMahon and Susan Pratley found their range in the low-scoring quarter with neither missing a goal between them, but they were forced to work hard as Henry and Langman were effective spoilers on the circle edge. An exciting final run to the finish line was in store as the Diamonds inched to a slender 28-27 lead at the final break.

Maria Tutaia offered fresh legs in place of Griffin in the last quarter while Australia retained their starting seven. It was the world champions who made the better start, shooting out to four-goal leads twice before the Silver Ferns, refusing to surrender, hauled their way back into the contest as the final few minutes provided further twists and turns.

The teams now head across the Tasman for two tests in New Zealand, the first to be played in Invercargill next Sunday.

Slideshow Image: Mid-courters Temepara George & Renae Hallinan epitomise the intense physicality of an epic 3rd Test in Brisbane this evening. (PHOTO: Michael Bradley)