Layton top Aussie in trans-Tasman netball

Sharni Layton's stellar season with the NSW Swifts has been recognised with a second-straight award as Australia's best player in the defunct trans-Tasman netball competition.

The Collingwood recruit claimed the award, as voted by her peers, a month after being named Australia's new captain.

Layton was a rock in defence as the Swifts finished runners-up to Queensland in the final edition of the trans-Tasman competition this year.

The 28-year-old produced a league-high 66 intercepts, 106 deflections, 94 gains and 33 defensive rebounds.

Layton will lead the Diamonds for the first time into next January and February's Quad Series against New Zealand, South Africa and England.

She will also play a big role for the new Magpies team when they undertake their Super Netball campaign starting in February following the decision to split from New Zealand and run an Australian-only club competition.

Roselee Jencke from the championship-winning Firebirds was named Australian coach of the year for guiding the side to back-to-back titles.