Veal seals second MVP

Logan Thunder's 2009/2010 award recipients, Natalie Purcell, Kristen Veal, Kate Willey and Cassie Smith.

BDS Logan Thunder skipper, Kristen Veal was named the club’s Most Valuable Player last Thursday, but she almost gave her coach, Jason Chainey, a heart attack when she declared this would be the last time she would win the coveted trophy.

But before Chainey needed to begin gasping for air, Veal quickly assured her coach she wasn’t leaving the club, instead she was tipping that one of her team-mates would be holding the player of the year award at next year’s award’s presentation.

Veal pipped New Zealand international, Natalie Purcell, to remain the only player to win Thunder’s MVP, collecting the award during the club’s end of season dinner at Fitzy’s Loganholme.

Regarded in the league as one of the most important players to her club, the classy guard averaged the all-round fine figures of 13 points, 5.6 rebounds and five assists a game throughout the 2009/2010 WNBL campaign.

But it was the 28-year-old’s leadership, especially during times the club faced adversity, which the Thunder appreciated the most.

Veal was humbled to make it back-to-back MVP’s, but paid tribute to her team-mates for the award.

“Second time is always good, and reinforces what I’m doing here,” she said.

“But if you also take a look at the group this year, there were some great performances so it makes it even better.

“I don’t think it will be long before one of these girls will be taking this award home, especially Natalie Purcell.

“She took out the club award. That’s the award I used to get at every other club and I was pretty sure Nat was going to MVP this year.

“The group as a whole is such a great group and I’d like to see them all take another step up next season.”

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Most Valuable Player

Kristen Veal

Club Player of the Year

Natalie Purcell

Development Player of the Year

Kate Willey

Most Improved Player

Cassie Smith