Watson named ANZ Premiership Player of the Year

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel defender Jane Watson has been named the ANZ Premiership Player of the Year.

The defender finishes the season with the most deflections and second on the intercept list in what she describes as her most consistent season yet.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear my name read out,” Watson said.

“It was unreal, but I can’t take all the credit; I play with fantastic team-mates who do a whole lot of work out in front of me.”

It was a double celebration for Watson, with the Steel also crowned the inaugural Champions.

“It was amazing. Especially with everything that has happened, it felt that it was right. All the support we’ve had has been fantastic; our families are so proud of us and it’s a great feeling,” she said.

“It’s credit to all the hard work we’ve put it in, it’s not just one game, we’ve done well all season and we’ve consistently done well.

“Our team culture is fantastic. We’ve got each other’s backs and we’ll do anything we can to show that and to come together and play the best Netball we can.

“That’s the secret of our success – Netball is a team sport and it takes more than one person to win a game, we’ve just got a great team.”