Isaac
Years ago
Batkovic wins third straight WNBL MVP
Townsville Fire star Suzy Batkovic has etched her name into the history books, becoming the first player to win three consecutive Wattle Valley Women's National Basketball League Most Valuable Player awards, taking out the honour for the 2013/14 season.
After winning two MVP trophies at the Adelaide Lightning in the past two seasons, Batkovic moved to North Queensland for the 2013/14 campaign, going on to finish in the top five in points, rebounds, blocks and steals as part of another dominant season.
Joining the likes of Robyn Maher, Penny Taylor and Rachael Sporn as a winner of two consecutive MVP honours last year, Batkovic becomes the first player in the 33-year history of the WNBL to claim the game’s highest honour for a third straight season.
The honour also sees the 33-year-old joins elite company alongside Kathy Foster (1985-86 and 1989) and Lauren Jackson (1999-2000 and 2003-04) as a winner of three or more MVP awards.
A humbled Batkovic said her season got off to a slow start, but felt that the environment at the Fire would bring out the best in her game.
"To be honest when I found out I was a little bit speechless, which doesn’t happen very often," Batkovic said.
“I was just blown away. I didn’t see it coming at all, but I’m really honoured to receive the award.
“The move has been absolutely awesome. I’ve got great teammates and amazing coaching staff who are basically on-call 24/7 to help out anyone and everyone.
“Regardless of what it is - a coffee catch up or watching video – they’re always there to help.
“The whole community here has been fabulous the way they’ve got behind us and especially now in the finals it’s been nuts. As a whole it’s a great program to be involved in.”
It was another bumper season for the 33-year-old, averaging more than 20 points per game (20.5 - #2 in WNBL) for the third consecutive season. Batkovic again led the league in rebounds (12.8 per game) and blocks (1.8 per game).
The three-time Olympian with the Jayco Australian Opals will get the chance to cap off another memorable season with a WNBL Championship this Sunday – when her Townsville Fire take on the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL Grand Final.
Batkovic, who won her first WNBL title as part of the famous AIS team of the 1998/99 season and followed it up with a second title with the Sydney Uni Flames in 2001, said as she reaches the latter stages of her career the desire to win a third championship becomes stronger.
“As you get older, you realise that it’s rare to make a grand final, and even more so to win one,” Batkovic said.
“Many great athletes go through their career and don’t win a championship. As you get older, you get hungrier for success.
“I’m really excited and pumped up about the whole thing. The fact that we can create a bit of history and bring the first national championship to North Queensland would be amazing.”
A consistent season saw Dandenong Rangers star Jenna O’Hea finish second only 10 votes behind Batkovic, while Adelaide Lightning forward Laura Hodges rounded out the top three with 116 votes.
The 2013/14 Wattle Valley WNBL MVP award will be presented to Suzy Batkovic on Sunday at the WNBL Grand Final.
WNBL MVP Top 10
Suzy Batkovic – Townsville Fire (136 votes)
Jenna O’Hea – Dandenong Rangers (129 votes)
Laura Hodges – Adelaide Lightning (116 votes)
Abby Bishop – Canberra Capitals (90 votes)
Kelsey Griffin – Bendigo Spirit (87 votes)
Gabe Richards – Bendigo Spirit (80 votes)
Tess Madgen – Melbourne Boomers (78 votes)
Katie-Rae Ebzery – Sydney Uni Flames (64 votes)
Chelsea Poppens – Melbourne Boomers (63 votes)
Rebecca Allen – Melbourne Boomers (57 votes)
