ANZ Championship All-Star Team named

Wednesday 20 July, 2016

ANZ Championship All-Star Team named

Thousands of fans have cast their votes and selected the 2016 ANZ Championship All-Star Team.

The All-Star Team, in its sixth year, recognises the most outstanding players in their respective positions and a coach over the course of a season.

For the fourth year running, the team has been voted entirely by public vote, with fans logging onto the ANZ Championship website (www.anz-championship.com) to submit their selections.

Clare McMeniman has earned her first selection in the ANZ Championship All-Star team, after a stellar year with reigning premiers The Coffee Club Queensland Firebirds.

Four players have returned from the 2015 side, with Swifts pair Susan Pettitt and captain Kimberlee Green given the nod for the third consecutive year.

The 2016 ANZ Championship All-Star team:

GOAL SHOOTER: Romelda Aiken, The Coffee Club Queensland Firebirds

Earning her second selection, the towering goal shooter provides a reliable target for her teammates. Aiken has scored 600 goals in a season for the third time in her career. In the 2016 regular season she averaged 44 goals per game. She needs just 62 goals to become the only player in the history of the ANZ Championship to shoot 5000 career goals.

GOAL ATTACK: Susan Pettitt, NSW Swifts

The goal attack makes her third consecutive All-Star Team, from a competitive field. Her partnership with goal shooter Caitlin Thwaites has flourished this season, making them the pair to beat. She has shot 365 goals from 415 attempts, with 88 percent accuracy. A mobile shooter with an ability to shoot from anywhere in the ring, she keeps defenders on their toes.

WING ATTACK: Kimberlee Green, NSW Swifts

It’s the third straight season the Swifts captain has earned selection in the All-Star Team. A fearless leader, she provides reliable ball in the Swifts’ attack end, topping the team’s goal assists (144) and feeds into the circle (315) for the regular season.

CENTRE: Kim Ravaillion, Mission Queensland Firebirds

The pocket rocket has been named centre in the All-Star Team for the second consecutive year. Her talents lay in reading the play and providing a strong transition from defence to attack. Quick on her toes, she is ranked equal sixth in the league for pickups (24).

WING DEFENCE: Laura Langman, NSW Swifts

Crossing the Tasman to join the Swifts this season, this is Langman’s third start in the team, after being named at centre in 2012 and 2013. Her athleticism is one of her greatest assets; ranked fifth in the league for minutes played in the regular season (787 minutes), only four minutes behind the top ranked athlete. Quick on her feet, Langman also recorded 28 pickups in the regular – the third highest in the league.

GOAL DEFENCE: Clare McMeniman, The Coffee Club Queensland Firebirds

The experienced defender receives her first call up to the ANZ Championship All-Star Team. A quiet achiever on the court, she has the ability to remain calm under pressure. McMeniman will contest every ball, forming the last line of defence with teammate Laura Geitz.

GOAL KEEPER: Sharni Layton, NSW Swifts

Earning her second consecutive selection, this fierce competitor leaves her opposition shaking in their shoes. Layton was the top-ranked player in the league during the regular season for deflections (92), gains (69) and intercepts (46). With the retirement of Julie Corletto in 2015, Layton has formed a new combination with rookie Maddy Turner.

COACH: Rob Wright, NSW Swifts

After a heart-shattering loss in the final minute of the 2015 Grand Final, Rob Wright has ensured his team learnt from the experience. As a result the Swifts once again find themselves one win away from another Grand Final berth. Wright has taken risks rotating players through the midcourt, which has paid dividends. The coach took on four rookie players this season and has guided them to stand up in the moments that count.

ENDS

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