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Cripps, Garbin add Stardust

Article Written by Samantha Rogers | The West Australian

They are both at the top of their game, taking home their sport’s highest individual honour.

And now Patrick Cripps and Sophie Garbin are in the running to be recognised as the best athletes in their home State, named as finalists for the SportWest WA Sport Star of the Year in 2024. The West Australian can reveal the dual Brownlow medallist and Liz Ellis Diamond winner as the next two nominees for the prestigious award.

Two more will be unveiled each day ahead of the ceremony on February 6, with cricketer Mitch Marsh, Australian water polo captain Zoe Arancini, surfer Jack Robinson and swimmer Iona Anderson already announced. The Carlton captain claimed the league’s highest individual honour for the second time last year, following his 2022 triumph, polling a record 45 votes.

It capped off another stellar season for the 29-year-old as one of the premier midfielders in the AFL. He was named vice-captain in his fourth appearance in the All-Australian team and earned his fifth club champion award, matching the record held by the medal’s namesake John Nicholls. If victorious, Cripps would become the first AFL player since fellow dual Brownlow medallist and Fremantle star Nat Fyfe’s second win in 2019 to be recognised with the SportWest accolade.

Garbin, 27, also claimed her sport’s top honour, the prestigious Liz Ellis Diamond, awarded to the nation’s best netballer across domestic and international performances.

The goal shooter was also named in the Team of the Year and crowned the International Player of the Year at the Australian Netball Awards for a 2024.

It followed an incredible year for Garbin, who shot more than 500 Super Netball goals and more than 300 goals across 11 international matches. She also broke two Vixens records, including the most points in a game (54).

The tradition of an award to acknowledge excellence in sporting achievements by West Australians began in 1956.

The Winner will be announced at the 2024 WA Sport Awards on Thursday, 6 February 2025 at Optus Stadium.

2024 WA Sport Star Finalists so far:

Iona Anderson | Swimming
Jack Robinson | Surfing
Mitchell Marsh | Cricket
Zoe Arancini | Water Polo

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