The squad was named following a gruelling five-day selection camp at the Australian Institute of Sport last week, at which 26 of the nation's elite players battled it out under the watchful eyes of coach Norma Plummer and her fellow selectors.

Susan, who this year was vice captain of the Australian Youth Team at the World Championships, performed strongly and consistently at the camp, combining well with her fellow shooters and thoroughly deserved her first call up to the new look open squad.

This wonderful achievement completes a very successful year for Susan, who along with her Youth Team honours, captained the AIS Darters team in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, played for New South Wales in the Australian titles and was named patron of the SERAS netball squad.

Along with Susan, four other new faces were added to the squad, with fellow shooter Kate Beveridge, centre court player Laura von Bertouch, and defenders Susan Fuhrmann and the returning Janine Ilitch all included.

While a serious knee injury to captain, Liz Ellis, can account for one of the changes, a disappointing series loss to New Zealand that included a record 61-36 defeat in the final test surely alarmed selectors.

Coach Plummer said she was pleased with the fresh squad.

"I am extremely confident with this squad and the breadth of talent and ability within it," she said.

"The combination of experienced campaigners and new talent will give us the necessary tools to win gold come March."

With the Commonwealth Games just over three months away, Susan and the other squad members face a hectic schedule leading up to the games squad announcement on February 10.

Following a short break over the Christmas-New Year period, the squad will assemble in Melbourne on January 9 for a five-day training camp before returning to Canberra for a training camp from January 23 to 27 and the all important selection camp from February 6 to 10 - after which the squad of 12 for the games will be announced.

Australian Open Netball Squad

Natalie Avellino (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)

Kate Beveridge (AIS Canberra Darters)

Alison Broadbent (Sydney TAB Swifts)

Bianca Chatfield (Melbourne First National Phoenix)

Catherine Cox (Sydney TAB Swifts)

Susan Fuhrmann (AIS Canberra Darters)

Selina Gilsenan (Sydney TAB Swifts)

Janine Ilitch (Melbourne Kestrels 2004)

Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne First National Phoenix)

SUSAN PRATLEY (AIS CANBERRA DARTERS)

Jessica Shynn (Perth Orioles)

Eloise Southby-Halbish (Melbourne First National Phoenix)

Laura von Bertouch (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)

Natalie von Bertouch (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)