Predicting the WNBL24 awards

As another intriguing season gets underway, we cast our gaze forward to pick the winners of the major individual awards

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Suzy Batkovic Medal (Most Valuable Player)

Last year, Cayla George added to her trophy cabinet by adding this individual honour to her four WNBL championships. At age 33, she should have been slowing down but she instead produced a career year, earned a callup back to the WNBA that ended in championship glory. She’ll be a strong contender again, and though she is on a new team, she’s had success before with the old firm of Tess Madgen and Guy Molloy.

George’s predecessor as the award winner, Anneli Maley, could also figure heavily in this conversation. Late last season, she looked somewhat out of sorts despite averaging a double-double (16.2 points, 11 rebounds). A change of scenery could work wonders. The early signs, including a tireless 21-rebound effort in round 1, are positive. If she comes close to recapturing her 21/22 form when she was rebounding at historic rates and lighting up the league with her scoring, she’ll be right in this race.