Bouncing back from the season-ending wrist injury suffered in 2023, Gardner was a runaway winner of her first Firebirds MVP award.
The 24-year-old, an ever-present for the Firebirds this season, polled votes in 13 of 14 matches to finish the count on 53 votes – 12 clear of second-placed Hulita Veve.
The midcourt duo were the standouts in the count with vice-captain Lara Dunkley finishing third in the tally on 29.
Gardner was presented with her award by Firebirds legend Laura Geitz at the Awards Gala dinner at Cloudland on Thursday.
Tonga captain Veve and Gardner were separated by just one vote heading into the final three matches of the season but Gardner polled a whopping 19 votes in those three games to secure the award.
Thursday’s function, as well as being a celebration of the Firebirds’ 2024 SSN season, also featured the announcement of the inaugural inductees into the Queensland Netball Hall of Fame.
Inaugural Firebirds captain and Australian Diamonds great Vicki Wilson OAM was among the inductees, alongside triple premiership winner and former Firebirds and Australian captain Geitz, legendary coach and former Australian Diamond Liz White OAM and umpiring great and Netball Queensland identity Janelle Derrington.
Veve’s fine return to the Firebirds’ full-time contracted list was rewarded with the inspirational mother of two winning both the Players’ Player of the Year and Members’ Player of the Year awards.
Another Firebirds mum, Ali Miller, received the Kierra Trompf Firebirds Spirit Award as determined by Firebirds management.
There was also a special tribute to retiring captain Kim Ravaillion after the two-time premiership winner announced before the Round 14 match against Melbourne that she would be hanging up her purple dress.
Departing players Donnell Wallam, Remi Kamo and Miller were also thanked for their contribution at the function.
Queensland Firebirds 2024 Award Winners
Laura Geitz Medal MVP: Macy Gardner
Players’ Player of the Year: Hulita Veve
Members’ Player of the Year: Hulita Veve
Kierra Trompf Firebirds Spirit Award: Ali Miller
Congratulations to our 2024 Firebirds debutantes:
Isabelle Shearer
Jess Milne
Ali Miller
Maddi Ridley
