Barrett-Chase speechless over award
By BRENDON EGAN - The Southland Times

Southern Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase admitted to being speechless when she discovered she had won the trans-Tasman netball competition's most valuable player award yesterday.

Barrett-Chase received a phone call about lunchtime yesterday from ANZ Championship general manager Anthony Everard informing her she had taken out the coveted award. She said she was stunned by the news, but very honoured to be recognised as the competition's most consistent player.

"I was a bit gobsmacked," Barrett-Chase told The Southland Times yesterday.

"I was very grateful. I honestly didn't expect it. I didn't think I should have got it."

After each game during the 14-week home-and-away season, coaches voted for their top player using a 3, 2, 1 points system. Barrett-Chase finished the season in poll position with 36 points ahead of New South Wales Swifts defender Rebecca Bulley on 30 points and Steel team-mate Leana de Bruin, who finished third equal with Adelaide shooter Carla Borrego, on 29 points.

Barrett-Chase, 25, is the first New Zealand or Australian International player to win the prize after Queensland Firebirds' Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken took it out last year. Aiken also won the award in 2008 jointly with England's Sonia Mkoloma – who was then playing for the Central Pulse. Barrett-Chase had an outstanding season for a Steel side – who made the top four playoffs for the second consecutive year.

With experienced former Silver Fern international Adine Wilson not returning for Steel this season, Barrett-Chase needed to lead by example in the midcourt and was pleased she had managed to do so.

She believed being able to play in the wing-attack for the whole season rather than alternating between wing-attack and centre had aided her overall game.

"That's been one positive that really helped. The team around me also gave me confidence."

Barrett-Chase has spent all three years in the ANZ Championship with Steel and said she would love to return for another stint next season and try to help Steel win a title. "I don't think I could go anywhere else," she laughed.

"We have such awesome fans and I love working with (coach) Robbie (Broughton)."

Barrett-Chase's play this season should give her first crack in the wing-attack position for the Silver Ferns. She said her next main goal was to add to her six caps for her country and cement herself as a regular starter in the New Zealand midcourt.

"That's one of the things, I really want ... I've got to play well at the (Silver Fern) trials."

Barrett-Chase will receive a trophy and a piece of jewellery for her efforts.