Dragons’ Oliver slays rivals in runaway win

BIG NIGHT: Strathfieldsaye's Brianna Dalrymple-Monro, Betty Thompson and Sandhurst's Heather Oliver. Picture: LUKE WEST

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SANDHURST goal defence Heather Oliver polled in a remarkable 17 of 18 games to be a runaway winner of the Bendigo Netball League’s A-grade Betty Thompson Medal on Sunday night.

In her first year at the Dragons, 28-year-old Oliver blew her rivals away, bolting to the medal with 42 votes out of a maximum 54.

Strathfieldsaye centre Brianna Dalrymple-Monro polled 26 votes – a tally that would normally be enough to win the medal – but she had to settle for runner-up.

In third position was Gisborne centre Tiana Newman on 23.

Much like Sandhurst’s Tim Martin in last year’s Michelsen Medal, it was clear from the outset that the Betty Thompson Medal would be won by the athletic Oliver.

Heather Oliver

She already had 13 of a possible 15 votes by round five, and by round 12 when she had 28, that was already enough to be a winning tally.

Oliver’s tally of 42 votes featured 10 best on courts, including five in a row between rounds 12 and 16.

She also received two votes in five matches and one vote in two games.

The only match she didn’t poll a vote in was round six against Castlemaine.

The modest Oliver said she was surprised to have polled so many votes.

“I didn’t expect anything like that… I just came along to enjoy the night with the girls,” Oliver said.

Oliver’s coach, Carol Cathcart, described the star defender as a complete player with her ability to intercept, defend, rebound and set up attacks.

As well as blitzing on the netball court with Sandhurst, and also with Eaglehawk in 2012 when she played in the Hawks’ A-grade flag, Oliver is also a championship player with the Bendigo Spirit in the Women’s National Basketball League.

She chose to return to the netball court this season after playing basketball with the Bendigo Lady Braves last winter.

“I had some ups and downs throughout the season and coming back from basketball was a bit of a challenge, but the coaching from Carol was fantastic and really helped me,” said Oliver, who played in the Spirit’s first two practice matches on the weekend.