Geva Mentor claims Melbourne Vixens' Most Valuable Player award

MELBOURNE Vixens' Geva Mentor has capped a brilliant season by claiming the team's Most Valuable Player award.

Geva Mentor

MELBOURNE Vixens' goal keeper Geva Mentor has capped a brilliant season by claiming the team's Most Valuable Player award in a bittersweet ending to 2012.

The English import, in her second year with the Vixens, won the top individual honour last night ahead of fellow defender Julie Corletto and midcourter Madison Browne, who were joint runners-up.

Mentor's accolade comes less than a week after the shattering three-goal home grand final loss to Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

The 27-year-old was the stand-out of a dominant backline this season, leading the league in intercepts and deflections.

In other awards, Browne was named player of the finals, while goaler Karyn Howarth was rookie of the year. Howarth's debut trans-Tasman season was recognised with her selection this week in the Diamonds' 22-player training squad.

Meanwhile, three Vixens were yesterday included in the ANZ Championship's 2012 All-Star team.

Mentor was named at goal keeper, Corletto got the nod at wing defence and Browne was voted the competition's best wing attack. The trio were the only players from an Australian team included in the line-up.