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)
–
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)
–
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)
–
VNL Umpire of the Year: Nicole Bullen
Picture credit: Netball Victoria
Sharp shooter taking advantage of opportunities
YOU would think being 5’10 would be tall. In general yes, but this day in the age of netball, that is seen as being on the shorter side, especially as a shooter. Nowadays you see 6 ‘5 shooters like Grace Nweke, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Caitlin Bassett. Jess Tetley has figured out how to turn her […]
Country star Lavis takes major leaps to get a taste of SSN
TRAVELLING from Victoria-New South Wales border into Melbourne multiple times a week would take a toll on any person. Numerous hours in the car, training for two hours, then having to drive back. It’s an endless cycle. Mia Lavis has learnt to adapt to that being from the country town of Howlong, but she appreciates […]
Charlotte Sexton’s dreams are becoming a reality
“I WANT to make Suncorp Super Netball, not sure how many years I’m off doing that, but hopefully a training partner role is the next step.” Little did Charlotte Sexton know, that statement would soon become a reality. Sexton was announced as one of the five training partners with the Melbourne Vixens for the 2025 […]
Lightning strikes twice for Hobson
IMAGINE going in for a routine scan to see how your body is holding up and being told you had no ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Being told that the previous surgery you had five years ago wasn’t performed correctly. Being told you had to have a corrective surgery right when you were climbing up ever […]
Defenders delight as duo tie for VNL MVP
IT was a big night for the Victorian Netball League (VNL) last night, with the annual awards night taking place. In the Championship Division there was a tie for the MVP, with Sophie Hanrahan and Jessie Grenvold tying for the award. The win caps off a year that was just about perfect for Hanrahan, who […]
Triple treat for City West as Falcons fly high again
THE City West Falcons have established a true dynasty in the Victorian Netball League, defeating the Boroondara Express 64-53 to win the 2024 Grand Final, their third flag in a row. The Falcons led convincingly for most of the match as the key players really stood up and really did not allow the Express to […]
Boroondara through to a decider, but not all goes Expressly their way
THE Boroondara Express are through to another Victorian Netball League decider after defeating the Hawks 51 goals to 47. Although the Hawks put in a solid fight back at the end of the game, a strong first half from the Express meant that their efforts proved futile. The Express’ intent was on show early, as […]
Falcons fly high as Hawks survive first threat
THE City West Falcons are the first team through to the VNL Championship Grand Final after a 77-54 win over Boroondara Express in last night’s major semi-final. Although things started off tight between the sides, when the Falcons made some key positional changes in defence and attack they saw things swing in their favour, and […]
PREVIEW | 2024 VNL – Finals Series
AFTER an entertaining and at times unpredictable home and away season, it is now time for the finals series of the Victorian Netball League. Four teams are all that are left in contention to win the title – City West Falcons, Boroondara Express, Hawks and the North East Blaze. Coming into this three week finals […]
