Sport
20 March, 2023
Egan and Neill Blazers’ best for 2022/23
Brady Neill took his ninth consecutive John Stringer MVP, while Maddy Egan broke through for a best and fairest title as the Maryborough Blazers celebrated their 2022/23 season at the Bull and Mouth Hotel on Saturday night. Matt Johnston was...
Brady Neill took his ninth consecutive John Stringer MVP, while Maddy Egan broke through for a best and fairest title as the Maryborough Blazers celebrated their 2022/23 season at the Bull and Mouth Hotel on Saturday night.
Matt Johnston was runner-up. while Rhys Brown, Bailey Jacobs and Lachie Drummond rounded out the top five.
Neill’s season was one where he continued to excel throughout, averaging 14.1 points per game as the Blazers just missed out on a finals appearance thanks to a head-to-head record with the Bendigo Braves.
Three-point sniper Johnston was excellent in his four games, averaging 19.3 points per game, while hitting 15 threes, good enough for equal ninth in the competition.
Brown was consistent across the six full games he played, averaging 14.5 points per game after moving into the point guard position this season.
Darcy Bond took the coaches award after an improved season where he averaged 7.5 points per game.
While the Lady Blazers weren’t quite able to enjoy the high of winning the title as they did in 2021/22 this time around, they still had an excellent season, making the finals.
Egan was able to take the best and fairest after finishing runner-up throughout the last two seasons, with Claire Blower finishing runner-up.
Millie Cracknell, Claire Constable and Keisha Tonzing rounded out the top five.
Egan enjoyed a spectacular year, one which saw her named in the All-Star Five for the competition, which was reflected in her averaging 18.6 points per game.
Blower proved to be a force in the paint again this season, and had very similar stats to Egan, finishing with 19 points per game.
Cracknell’s three point shooting was a feature throughout the season, finishing second at the Lady Blazers behind Claire Constable with eight threes for the season, while averaging 8.6 points per game.
Elisa Pica’s two-way game, which saw her share in the defensive player of the year, was recognised by the coaches by winning the coaches award.Pica was often tasked to guard the opposition’s most damaging player each week, and succeeded while also putting up 5.1 points per game on the offensive end.
