Tony Lewis is seeking to become the ninth player in SEABL men’s history to win back-to-back MVP’s after he recorded 147 votes in last year’s awards, ten more than any other player.
Finishing third in the 2014 voting, Daequon Montreal will again contend after tallying 121 votes while Damian Johnson should improve on his 93 votes from last season and challenge for the title.
In the women’s competition, last year’s winner, Maddie Garrick, will not be in contention after playing just nine games but 2013’s victor, Kelly Wilson, could make a late charge as she led the league in assists with 6.2 a game.
If Wilson were to cause the upset, she would join Sharon Simon and Karen Ashby as three-time MVP winners while Regina Days went back-to-back in 1990 and 1991.
A perennial vote-getter, Steph Cumming finished just four votes behind Garrick in 2014’s voting while Kathleen Scheer and Kelly Bowen also finished in the top ten and are sure to contend again this year.
Several past winners have become household names as their careers progressed onto the international stage, namely Andrew Bogut who collected the award in 2003 when the AIS won their first Championship.
Anthony Petrie has also forged a solid career in the NBL and with the Australian Boomers while Australian Opals stars Belinda Snell, Suzy Batkovic, Rachel Jarry and Jess Bibby and current WNBA players Penny Taylor and Jenna O'Hea all left their mark on the SEABL in their junior years.
List of men and women SEABL MVP winners
YEAR | PLAYER | CLUB |
2014 | Tony LewisMaddie Garrick | Dandenong RangersFrankston Lady Blues |
2013 | Shane McDonald, John Pichon (tied)Kelly Wilson | Nunawading Spectres, Sandringham SabresKnox Raiders |
2012 | CJ MassingaleRenae Camino | Knox RaidersBendigo Lady Braves |
2011 | East- Ivan McFarlinSouth- John Pichon
Amy Denson |
Bendigo BravesGeelong Supercats
Knox Raiders |
2010 | E- CJ MassingaleS- Ismail Muhammad
Rachel Jarry |
Knox RaidersGeelong Supercats
Ballarat Lady Miners |
2009 | E- Joe WernerS- David Gruber
Kelly Wilson |
Knox RaidersFrankston Blues
Bendigo Lady Braves |
2008 | E- CJ MassingaleS- David Gruber
Jenna O’Hea |
Knox RaidersFrankston Blues
Nunawading Spectres |
2007 | E- Anthony PetrieS- Anthony Stewart
Karen Ashby |
Canberra GunnersHobart Chargers
Ballarat Lady Miners |
2006 | E- Anthony PetrieS- Denver TenBroek
Karen Ashby |
Canberra GunnersBendigo Braves
Ballarat Lady Miners |
2005 | E- David GruberS- Shawn Redhage
Karen Ashby |
Frankston BluesBendigo Braves
Ballarat Lady Miners |
2004 | E- Grant KeysS- Shawn Redhage
Jessica Bibby |
Canberra GunnersN-W Tasmania Thunder
Kilsyth Lady Cobras |
2003 | E- Andrew BogutS- Jamie Holmes
Andrea Walsh |
AISMt. Gambier Pioneers
Bendigo Lady Braves |
2002 | E- Allen McCowanS- Matt Rueter
Belinda Snell |
Albury/Wodonga BanditsKnox Raiders
Sydney Sharks |
2001 | E- Kevin DaleyS- Eric Hayes
Suzy Batkovic |
Geelong SupercatsBallarat Miners
Launceston Tornadoes |
2000 | E- John RillieS- Ricky Daniels
Penny Taylor |
Penrith PanthersBendigo Braves
Nunawading Spectres |
1999 | E- Stephen BlacksS- Ricky Daniels
Kelly Lemezs |
AISBendigo Braves
Frankston Lady Blues |
1998 | E- Chuck GuittarS- Clyde Jordan
Kaui Wakita |
Dandenong RangersGeelong Supercats
Launceston Tornadoes |
1997 | E- Chris SneedS- David Biwer
Nina Cass |
Dandenong RangersHobart Chargers
Bendigo Lady Braves |
1996 | E- Jason KaiserS- David Biwer
Sharon Simons |
Dandenong RangersN-W Tasmania Originals
Broadmeadows Lady Broncos |
1995 | E- Mike KellyS- Troy Muilenberg
Sharon Simons |
Nunawading SpectresFrankston Blues
Broadmeadows Lady Broncos |
1994 | E- Curtis BlairS- Mike Kelly
Debbie Black |
Kilsyth CobrasNunawading Spectres
Launceston Tornadoes |
1993 | Ron NunnellySharon Simons | Murray Bridge BulletsBroadmeadows Lady Broncos |
1992 | Jeff de LaveagaSue Barton | Canberra GunnersBayside Blues |
1991 | Steve de LaveagaRegina Days | Nunawading SpectresDandenong Rangers |
1990 | Steve de Laveaga, Eric Cooks (tied)Regina Days | Nunawading Spectres, Ballarat Miners (tied)Dandenong Rangers |
1989 | Eric Cooks | Ballarat Miners |