WITH the Netball Australia Awards done and dusted for season 2018, it was Liz Watson who once again cleaned up thanks to her dominate performance at both the domestic and international level.
The Vixens centre-court player is no stranger to the big stage and this year was no different taking out the Liz Ellis Diamond and Australia’s International Player of the Year, credit to her incredible performance on the world stage. But the accolades did not stop there for the superstar wing attack, also winning the Vixens Sharelle McMahon Award handed out to the clubs best and fairest. Watson is renowned for her pin point precision around the goal circle, her timely feeds and most importantly her ability to read the play and make an impact. She has also shown her versatility rotating through wing attack and centre at times to provide that attacking prowess across the court. The 24- year old has speed to burn and can run all day making her a valuable asset to any side.
Watson was amongst a host of other players recognised at Netball Australia’s night of nights with Jhaniele Fowler taking out Suncorp Super Netball’s Player of the Year. The Jamaican goal shooter had a major influence on the West Coast Fever providing that spark they needed to make it to the finals. Scoring a whopping 783 goals for the home and away season the 198cm tall shooter proved to be a dominant force in the goal circle with her accuracy second to none.
While Fowler herself was a revelation for the Fever so too was their head coach Stacy Marinkovich who claimed the Joyce Brown Suncorp Super Netball Coach of the Year award. After finishing the 2017 season in seventh position the Fever climbed their way up the ladder, showing they were a real force to be reckoned with. Marinkovich’s acquisition of the star Jamaican shooter, strong defensive combination of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis along with the experience of Natalie Medhurst made West Coast a clear threat in the Suncorp Super Netball league.
Former Diamond representatives were also acknowledged with the likes of retiring superstar Laura Geitz, Sharni Layton, Erin Bell, Susan Pettitt and Madi Robinson being honoured. Robinson is set to continue with the Magpies but has stepped away from international competition allowing Collingwood to be her main focus.
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