Garbin becomes the first goaler in five years to receive the prestigious honour.
The 12th athlete in the sport’s history to receive the coveted title, Garbin’s win follows dominant domestic and international seasons with the Melbourne Vixens and the Origin Australian Diamonds.
A newcomer to the Vixens this year, Garbin scored 517 goals in the home and away season and broke two Melbourne Vixens SSN-era records including the most points in a single game (54 points in Round 8) and the most offensive rebounds in a season with 54.
In recognition of her incredible year with the Origin Australian Diamonds, Garbin was also crowned International Player of the Year, making her the seventh Diamond in the last decade to take home both awards.
The 27-year-old shot 306 goals at 95 per cent accuracy across eleven international test matches in 2024.
Notably, she shot at 100 per cent accuracy in the Diamonds’ final test match of 2024, contributing to the win and marking the first time she achieved the unblemished record in a Diamonds game.
"I am super honoured to be recognised for both of these awards," Garbin said.
"The Diamonds make it an environment to be yourself and be your best, and I am so thankful to be a part of that with every opportunity presented.
"I am so grateful to have watched Liz Ellis and seen what she has done for our sport, so now standing with her in honour of this award is a pinch myself moment.
"For me, it's not just the on court performance but it is the off the court person I am that is what I want to pride myself on. Whether it's having a joke with teammates or just being a friend when others need someone, that's the legacy and they're the memories I want to leave behind in netball."
Polling in every round she played in across 2024, except for one due to injury, Adelaide Thunderbirds’ Georgie Horjus was named the Suncorp Super Netball Player of the Year.
Alongside a back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball premiership, Horjus seized impressive numbers in attack across the home and away season and finals series with 93 goals, 445 circle feeds and 297 centre pass receives.
Horjus and Garbin were both named in the Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year (below).
Goal Shooter – Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (West Coast Fever)
Goal Attack – Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens)
Wing Attack – Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Centre – Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens)
Wing Defence – Latanya Wilson (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Goal Defence – Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever)
Goal Keeper – Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Attack Interchange – Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens)
Midcourt Interchange – Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Defence Interchange – Ashleigh Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
The Suncorp Super Netball Rookie of the Year went to Adelaide Thunderbirds’ goaler Lauren Frew. At just 22 years-old, Frew played in every match for the Thunderbirds in 2024, registering 144 goals, 111 assists, and 166 circle feeds. She cemented herself as an integral goaling figure for Adelaide in this year’s Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, shooting at 100 per cent accuracy.
The Joyce Brown Coach of the Year was awarded to Adelaide Thunderbirds head coach Tania Obst. In her sixth year at the helm, Obst led the side to its second-consecutive premiership victory on the national stage. The Thunderbirds were undefeated at home in 2024 and won all matches in the finals series.
Two inaugural awards were announced at tonight’s event, including the Dr Eve Fels First Nations Black Swan Award which was received by Yaruwu defender Scarlet Jauncey who made her mark in the inaugural First Nations Black Swans national team.
Amy Parmenter was granted the Australian Netball Players' Association Heart of the Game Award, in celebration of her embodiment of the Players’ Association Manifesto of commitment to netball, personal growth, community impact, and positive influence.
Lindy Murphy was awarded this years' Service Award after more than 30 years with the sport in roles at Netball Australia, Netball Victoria and World Netball. Umpire Josh Bowring was named the Lorna McConchie Umpire of the Year for the second year in a row.
Terese Kennedy (Diamonds #57), Natalie von Bertouch (Diamonds #137), Pam Smith and Sue Taylor AM were inducted into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of their significant contribution to Australian netball.
To round out the evening’s awards, Lucy Austin was awarded the FAST5 Netball World Series Player of the Series.
The 2024 Australian Netball Awards took place at The Glasshouse in Melbourne.
