By Jarrod Potter
TURNING the tables on a nightmare basketball season, Dandenong Rangers guard Amelia Todhunter fought her way back on court to share the greatest prize last weekend.
Todhunter earned her second Barbara Barton Medal as the SEABL grand-final MVP – but compared to her stellar 2012 season, this time around was riddled by set-backs. She spent 13 weeks on the sidelines earlier this year with a knee injury – but nothing could stop her returning to the roster for a sensational finals campaign.
Helping Dandenong work its way to a SEABL East Conference title and make the SEABL championship match, Todhunter’s work in the finale at both ends of the court was exceptional.
Her trying 2015 season ended last Saturday night in the best possible way as Todhunter proved pivotal as Dandenong fought off every Kilsyth fight-back to take the 76-63 SEABL championship victory.
Todhunter displayed her SEABL class – stepping up to the big stage to rattle off 19 points, while constantly creating headaches in the backcourt.
Her tenacious attack left the Cobras on the back foot as she drove to the basket, hit the perimeter shot and generally terrorised the visitors.
Alongside long-time team mates Aimie Clydesdale, Alison Downie, Faith Probst and Clare Papavs, Todhunter earned another SEABL championship – her fourth – and was almost speechless when it came to the side’s success over the last six years.
“I am so excited- ecstatic – words can barely explain how I’m feeling,” Todhunter said. “I have to give the girls all the credit – they got us through those 13 weeks I was out – Bree Whatman stepped up, Aimie Clydesdale killed it – have to definitely credit them for it.”
The game was Todhunter’s last with co-captain Probst – who told the group earlier that day she was retiring to give the match additional significance for the extremely close roster.
“I came into the game really nervous – mainly because we choked last year and the year before, so we really wanted to get the win – especially for Faith Probst’s last game,” Todhunter said. “All the girls were in tears because we needed to do it for Faith and we did.
“We’re getting older and that experience is helping us, but our bodies are going backwards, so I think it’s sad as I love the girls so much – we’ll gradually start to see everyone retire but we’re seeing the young girls stepping up and coming through.”
Dandenong coach Larissa Anderson believed for Todhunter to get back on court this season is true testament to her fighting spirit.
“She might only be a tiny little thing but her heart is absolutely… whatever, you can fill in the blanks there, but she never stops,” Anderson said. “She’s so persistent and determined and professional.
“She’s worked her little butt off to get back to this and credit to her and well done, it’s amazing.”
Todhunter’s next challenge is returning to Dandenong court in the WNBL ranks for her beloved Dandenong.
