The move of City West Falcons’ Maggie Lind from goals to mid-court is complete, with Lind taking out the Victorian Netball League’s top honour.
Lind was recently announced the Margaret Caldow medalist as the most valuable player in the championship division, with 55 votes.
Lind’s consistency was the key to her season, polling votes in the first 13 matches; after that point votes were not released publicly.
The 22-year-old, who wasn’t even expecting to be in the mix for the award, said this year she felt more settled in the mid-court.
“Last year there was a few bad games.
“It’s my third season in the mid-court and I found my feet a bit more.
“I know the position.
“It took me a while to get used to it, but I prefer it over goals now.
“It helps having talented players around me.”
Lind said being mid-court allowed her to be a bit more crafty, and the move had been the best motivator for her after spending most of her career as a shooter.
For Lind, it’s a long way from a couple of years ago when she said she fell out of love with the game.
“I’m starting to enjoy it now,” she said. “It’s a huge commitment … I have been playing since I was 11, and I’m now 22.”
Lind’s award caps off a strong season for the Falcons who made another grand final. They lost by one goal in a thriller to Melbourne University Lightning, but Lind said they had exceeded expectations.
“It was a rebuilding this year, with a really young team,” she said. “To even play in a grand final, we did well.”
Lind is hoping to get an opportunity in the new Australian Netball League, but also has a back-up plan if that fails.
“I have started to do rugby 7s on the side.
“I’m striving to still make the next level in netball. Rugby is a good back-up plan and a new sport developing in Victoria.”
Lind was also named in the championship division team of the year.
Fellow Falcon Kath Knott was named in the team of the year, and took out the hot-shot award for leading goal scorer while Falcons co-captain and grand final MVP Emily Post was the division 1 MVP.
