Gabi Simpson named netball's best player
Queensland Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson has capped a season in which she played every minute of every game by winning Australian netball's highest individual honour, the Liz Ellis Diamond.
The defender was the highest-ranked wing defence across several key statistics in the inaugural Super Netball season, including; 43 deflections, 21 intercepts, 33 pickups and 34 gains.
The Liz Ellis Diamond is awarded for outstanding performance by an Australian player across the international and domestic stage, and was presented on Saturday night in Melbourne as part of the 2017 Australian Netball Awards.
As well as her achievements with the Firebirds, Simpson played in all 13 international tests across 2016 and early 2017.
In other major awards, Australian captain Sharni Layton was named Australian international player of the year, after playing an integral role in the Diamonds' Netball Quad Series and Constellation Cup victories.
Defender Geva Mentor has added to her championship medal with the Sunshine Coast Lightning by being named Super Netball Player of the Year.
The former England captain topped the league for deflections with 90, in addition to 106 gains and 39 defensive rebounds.
She was also ranked second for intercepts, with 41.
2017 AUSTRALIAN NETBALL AWARD WINNERS
Liz Ellis Diamond: Gabi Simpson
Australian International Player of the Year: Sharni Layton
Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year: Geva Mentor (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Coach of the Year: Simone McKinnis (Melbourne Vixens)
Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year: Joshua Bowring
Australian Netball League Player of the Year: Sophie Garbin (Western Sting)
Fast5 Player of the Year: Courtney Bruce
SUPER NETBALL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Goal Shooter: Mwai Kumwenda (Melbourne Vixens)
Goal Attack: Tegan Philip (Melbourne Vixens)
Wing Attack: Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens)
Centre: Laura Langman (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Wing Defence: Gabi Simpson (Queensland Firebirds)
Goal Defence: Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens)
Goal Keeper: Geva Mentor (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Attack Reserve: Caitlin Thwaites (Collingwood Magpies)
Mid Court Reserve: Serena Guthrie (Giants Netball)
Defender Reserve: Rebecca Bulley (Giants Netball)
