MELBOURNE Vixens goaler Sophie Garbin had a night to remember at the Australian Netball Awards, taking home the top Australian netball honour of the Liz Ellis award as well as International Player of the Year.
Garbin becomes the 12th individual to win the award which focuses across both the international and domestic seasons, and the first attacker to win in five years. Winning the two awards, she is the seventh player to do so.
A new face in Vixens’ colours, she shot 517 goals in the regular season which included two SSN records for points in a single game (54 in Round Eight) and most offensive rebounds in a season.
Her win follows dominant form in the SSN for the Vixens who made the grand final, as well as the Origin Diamonds, where she now holds down the goal shooter bib.
She shot 306 goals at 95 per cent accuracy in her 11 international appearances in 2024.
After a few tumultuous years, Garbin was elated with the awards.
“I am super honoured to be recognised for both of these awards,” Garbin said.
“The Diamonds make it an environment to be yourself and be your best, and I am so thankful to be a part of that with every opportunity presented.
“I am so grateful to have watched Liz Ellis and seen what she has done for our sport, so now standing with her in honour of this award is a pinch myself moment.
“For me, it’s not just the on court performance but it is the off the court person I am that is what I want to pride myself on. Whether it’s having a joke with teammates or just being a friend when others need someone, that’s the legacy and they’re the memories I want to leave behind in netball.”
SSN Player of the Year
Adelaide Thunderbirds dynamo Georgie Horjus has had another successful post-season taking out the SSN Player of the Year award alongside the two consecutive title premierships.
Managing to poll in every game played (missed one due to injury), she was a force across wing attack with the option of playing in the circle for her coach Tania Obst.
She netted 93 goals, 445 circle feeds and 297 centre pass receives, her season being recognised with a Diamonds debut.
SSN Rookie of the Year
The sweep from the premiers continued, with young goaler Lauren Frew taking home the SSN Rookie of the Year award.
With a career-best performance during the grand final win, Frew has cemented herself as Adelaide’s goal attack starter. In that game she shot at 100 per cent accuracy, against the rock-solid Vixens defence.
She played every game this season, managing 144 goals, 111 assists and 166 circle feeds.
Other awards
Joyce Brown Coach of the Year: Tania Obst (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Dr Eve Fels First Nations Black Swan Award (inaugural award): Scarlet Jauncey
Australian Netball Players’ Association Heart of the Game Award: Amy Parmenter (Melbourne Mavericks)
Service Award: Lindy Murphy (Netball Australia, Netball Victoria and World Netball)
Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year: Josh Bowring
FAST5 Netball World Series Player of the Series: Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
SSN Team of the Year
GS: Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (West Coast Fever)
GA: Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens)
WA: Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
C: Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens)
WD: Latanya Wilson (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
GD: Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever)
DK: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (Adelaide Thunderbirds
Bench:
Attack: Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens)
Midcourt: Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Defence: Ashleigh Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
On the night, Terese Kennedy (Diamond #57) , Natalie von Bertouch (Diamond #137), Pam Smith and Sue Taylor AM were inducted into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame.
Sophie Garbin shines bright winning Liz Ellis Diamond
MELBOURNE Vixens goaler Sophie Garbin had a night to remember at the Australian Netball Awards, taking home the top Australian netball honour of the Liz Ellis award as well as International Player of the Year. Garbin becomes the 12th individual to win the award which focuses across both the international and domestic seasons, and the […]
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