Defenders have reigned supreme in the 2024 Victorian Netball League, with City West Falcons’ Sophie Hanrahan and Wilson Storage Southern Saints’ Jessie Grenvold tying for the Championship division’s Most Valuable Player at Sunday night’s awards ceremony. Charlize Gabel Joseph scooped the pool in the 23&Under division, after winning MVP, the Hot Shot Award and team of the year honours.
Sophie Hanrahan – Championship Most Valuable Player (Marg Caldow Award)
Sophie Hanrahan’s perfect season was topped off with the gong after her team, the City West Falcons claimed the Championship division grand final win over Boroondara Express last week. Hanrahan, who hails from Rutherglen, polled in 10 games, continuing her dominance in the circle, consistently generating valuable gains.
Jessie Grenvold – Championship Most Valuable Player (Marg Caldow Award)
While Jessie Grenvold’s side the Wilson Storage Southern Saints missed out on finals, her tenacity and reach offered coach Jane Searle an exciting option in Grenvold’s first season in the VNL. Moving across from the SA Premier League to take up a position as a training partner for the Melbourne Mavericks, Grenvold made her Suncorp Super Netball debut, and her experience proved invaluable for the Saints across the season.
Charlize Gabel Joseph – 23&U Most Valuable Player / Hot Shot Award
Eyes were on the other end of the court in the 23&U division, with Peninsula Waves’ goaler Charlize Gabel Joseph named Most Valuable Player. The award wasn’t her only for the night, after receiving her second consecutive 23&U Hot Shot Award for most goals in the season and being named in the 23&U Team of the Year for the second year in a row.
Charlize shot 710 goals for the season and was named in the Victorian 19/U state squad last week.
Jane Cook – Championship Hot Shot Award
A record-breaking feat from Jane Cook saw her named as the Championship Hot Shot winner. The Falcons’ 200cm goaler scored an incredible 1007 goals for the season (with another 115 during the semi final and grand final), with one game a standout of 86 goals at 100% accuracy.
All awards and acknowledgements from the night listed below:
Championship division
Premiers: City West Falcons
Most Valuable Player (Marg Caldow Award): Jessie Grenvold (Wilson Storage Southern Saints) and Sophie Hanrahan (City West Falcons)
Hot Shot Award: Jane Cook (City West Falcons)
2024 Championship Team of the Year:
Defenders: Brooke Allan (Geelong Cougars), Gabby Coffey (Melbourne University Lightning), Jessie Grenvold (Wilson Storage Southern Saints) and Sophie Hanrahan (City West Falcons).
Midcourt: Zali Anderson (Boroondara Express), Taylah Brown (Boroondara Express), Sharni Lambden (Casey Demons) and Ally O’Connor (Geelong Cougars).
Goalers: Emily Andrew (Wilson Storage Southern Saints), Jane Cook (City West Falcons), Isabelle Hodgson (Boroondara Express) and Kaylia Stanton (Hawks Netball).
23&U division
Premiers: Hawks Netball
Most Valuable Player: Charlize Gabel Joseph (Peninsula Waves)
Hot Shot Award: Charlize Gabel Joseph (Peninsula Waves)
2024 23&U Team of the Year:
Defenders: Olivia Barnett (Hawks Netball), Charli Hoey (Geelong Cougars), Charlee Kemp (Melbourne University Lightning) and Eliza Molino (North East Blaze)
Midcourt: Sienna Green (Hawks Netball), Millie Hogg (Melbourne University Lightning), Georgie O’Brien (Hawks Netball) and Kaila Swindell (Hawks Netball)
Goalers: Olivia Cawthray (North East Blaze), Charlize Gabel Joseph (Peninsula Waves), Jessica Tetley (Hawks Netball) and Emma Winfield (Melbourne University Lightning)
Umpire of the Year: Josh Bowring
Joyce Brown Coaches Award: City West Falcons coaching team led by Marg Lind, Jacinta Todd and Alexia McConnell
A-Grade Umpire Badge: Sarah Arrowsmith and Seryse Lewis
Bench Officials Acknowledgment: Billie Murray (Casey Demons), Stephanie Kilpatrick (Melbourne University Lightning), Jessie Day (North East Blaze), Will Taylor (City West Falcons), Craig Moyle (Boroondara Express) and Sue Kimber (Peninsula Waves).
Suncorp Super Netball umpires, Tim Marshall and Nathan Begley were also acknowledged on the night for their milestone of 50 games in the national competition.
