Chatfield's top season earns Vixens MVP
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The Melbourne Vixens today awarded its top players prize to an athlete who has displayed great leadership and accomplished a remarkable turn-around of form.
Bianca Chatfield, co-captain and defender, set out at the start of the year axed from the Australian squad and struggling to find any joy after the Vixens dismal 2010 season.
Chatfields response silenced the critics, from her Herald Sun column which famously described her shock exit from the Diamonds as a blessing in disguise, to her remarkably consistent 2011 form in a new position.
The Vixens total goals against in 2011 was just four higher than in the 2009 Championship year (614 in 2009, compared to 610 this year), showing the Chatfield-led defence was as strong as ever.
Julie Hoornweg, the Vixens head coach, said Chatfield was the backbone of the Vixens defensive unit over four years, and an excellent captain.
Chatfield had played her entire elite career at goal keeper, but shifted to goal defence, showing remarkable athleticism, her consistency in the new position described throughout the season as impressive and outstanding.
Her leadership was never stronger nor more vital than this year, when she fired up after co-captain Sharelle McMahon suffered a crippling Achilles injury against the Queensland Firebirds.
After helping to carry McMahon from the court, Chatfields courage buoyed the devastated Vixens to fight against the eventual 2011 premiers.
Notable under pressure,Chatfield was sole captain for the remaining six rounds, performing at an ever higher level with each game.
The Vixens had 8 wins out of 13 games this season, finishing fifth on the ANZ Championship ladder.
Membership more than doubled with the Melbourne Vixens finishing the season with 1,965 registered members.
Statistics: Bianca Chatfield
|
DOB: 2/04/1982 Height: 189cm |
2011 totals |
Average per Game |
Notes |
|
Games |
13 |
||
|
Goal Assists |
NA |
3.07 |
|
|
Centre Pass Receives |
40 |
||
|
Rebounds |
27 |
2.07 |
Most rebounds for the team, top 10 in league |
|
Intercepts |
19 |
1.46 |
|
|
Deflections |
53 |
4.08 |
Most deflections for team (fifth in the league) |
|
Gains |
NA |
NA |
|
|
Turnovers |
18 |
1.38 |
|
|
Penalties |
202 |
15.54 |
Most penalised Vixen |
|
Pickups |
NA |
NA |
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