THE 2021 Victorian Netball League (VNL) may have seen plenty of interruptions, but it was a credit to teams, clubs and umpires alike to get 11 rounds of Victorian netball pathways action up and about. The 2021 VNL awards – Team of the Year, Hot Shot Award (most goals scored) and League Most Valuable Player (MVP) – have been tallied over the past three nights across all three divisions, and we break down the award winners.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Team of the Year –
Attack: Jane Cook (City West Falcons), Julia Woolley (Geelong Cougars), Uneeq Palavi (Boroondara Express), Rahni Samason (Ariels)
Midcourt: Jordan Cransberg (Melbourne University Lightning), Maggie Lind (City West Falcons), Kelsie Rainbow (Melbourne University Lightning), Shae Brown (Melbourne University Lightning)
Defence: Brooke Allan (Geelong Cougars), Gabby Coffey (Melbourne University Lightning), Fiona Themann (Melbourne University Lightning), Melissa Oloamanu (City West Falcons)
Hot Shot Award: Jane Cook (City West Falcons)
Most Valuable Player: Julia Woolley (Geelong Cougars), Maggie Lind (City West Falcons)
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DIVISION 1
Team of the Year –
Attack: Georgie Cuthbertson (Geelong Cougars), Abbey Ryan (Boroondara Express), Aleisha McDonald (Geelong Cougars), Chevvone Thompson (Boroondara Express)
Midcourt: Bronwyn Taylor (North East Blaze), Zara Walters (Geelong Cougars), Sam Coppinger (North East Blaze), Chelsea Sartori (Boroondara Express)
Defence: Nakita Singe (North East Blaze), Ellen Doyle (Geelong Cougars), Laura Giles (Geelong Cougars), Maggie Caris (Melbourne University Lightning)
Hot Shot Award: Aleisha McDonald (Geelong Cougars)
Most Valuable Player: Chelsea Sartori (Boroondara Express)
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19 & UNDER
Team of the Year –
Attack: Emily Andrew (Ariels), Olivia Wilkinson (Peninsula Waves), Keeley Burgmann (Hawks Netball), Claire Oakley (Melbourne University Lightning)
Midcourt: Abby Williams (Peninsula Waves), Tadiwa Kahonde (Southern Saints), Abigail Inglis (Hawks Netball), Casey Dunstan (Boroondara Express)
Defence: Charli Nicol (City West Falcons), Jacque De Lazzari (North East Blaze), Joanna Wietrzyk (Peninsula Waves), Matilda Cook (Peninsula Waves)
Hot Shot Award: Rose Laidlaw (Boroondara Express)
Most Valuable Player: Tadiwa Kahonde (Southern Saints)
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VNL Umpire of the Year: Nicole Bullen
Picture credit: Netball Victoria
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