Robinson, Fowler-Reid named winners of Conference MVP awards

Robinson, Fowler-Reid named winners of Conference MVP awards

Madi Robinson (Melbourne Vixens) and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel) have been named this season’s Most Valuable Players in the Australian and New Zealand Conferences, respectively.

Separate MVP awards were introduced to the competition in 2015 to recognise the most outstanding player from both Conferences.

Fowler-Reid becomes the second player to win three MVP awards in the history of the competition – her first in 2013, her debut season, then again in 2015.

As one of the competition’s most prolific shooters, Fowler-Reid sits ninth on the all-time career shooting tally, with 2,485 goals at 91% since her debut.

Spearheading the Steel’s attack, she has netted 681 goals at 90% in season 2016 - the most of any shooter and the fourth time she has scored more than 500 goals in a season.

“I feel like I have grown a lot this year and I’ve been happy with how I’ve been going,” Fowler-Reid said.

“This year I’ve started to take shots from further out, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and I’ve also worked on being much stronger under the post.

“The ANZ Championship has helped me grow a lot as a person and I’ve matured so much in this competition.”

This is Robinson’s first ANZ Championship MVP Award, becoming the sole Vixens’ player to receive this accolade.

The midcourter has had a successful return to court this year, after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in Round 6, 2015. Robinson has played in all 2016 matches, was named captain of the Melbourne Vixens and received seven match MVPs in the regular season.

Robinson was ranked first for goal assists with 186 assists and equal first for feeds (383) in the Australian Conference.

“My goal this year coming back from injury was to just get out there and play some really good netball again.” Robinson said.

“I couldn’t be a leader for my club without putting out the performances that I knew that I could, and be at my best.

“The important thing for me was continue to build every week, and empowering the girls around me.

The 2016 ANZ Championship Finals Series continues this Sunday at 4.15pm (NZT), with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel hosting the Cold Power Magic in the New Zealand Conference Final at ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill," she said.

The Australian Conference Final between The Coffee Club Queensland Firebirds and the NSW Swifts will take place at 7.18pm (AEST) Monday 18 July at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall.

All four teams will progress to the ANZ Championship Semi-Finals the following weekend.

Don’t miss a minute of action with the 2016 ANZ Championship Finals Series broadcast live on SKY Sport in New Zealand and FOX SPORTS in Australia.

ENDS

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