Melbourne Phoenix were an Australian netball team that represented Netball Victoria in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Between 1997 and 2007, together with Melbourne Kestrels, they were one of two teams to represent Netball Victoria in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy era. Phoenix were the inaugural CBT champions and went on to become the competition's most successful team, winning five premierships. In 2008, when the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was replaced by the ANZ Championship, Phoenix and Kestrels merged to form Melbourne Vixens.
History
Commonwealth Bank Trophy Regular season statistics +SeasonPositionWonDrawnLost19972nd112119982nd112119995th68020002nd112120013rd113020021st121120031st131020043rd104020052nd122020063rd104020071st1310
Grand finals Season Winners Score Runners up Venue 1997Melbourne Phoenix58–48Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse 2000Melbourne Phoenix52–51Adelaide ThunderbirdsThe Glasshouse 2002Melbourne Phoenix49–44Adelaide ThunderbirdsVodafone Arena 2003Melbourne Phoenix47–44Sydney SwiftsSydney Super Dome 2004Sydney Swifts52–51Melbourne PhoenixSydney Super Dome 2005Melbourne Phoenix61–44Sydney SwiftsVodafone Arena 2007Sydney Swifts45–37Melbourne PhoenixAcer Arena
Home venues In 1997 and 1998, Phoenix played their home games at the Waverley Netball Centre. In 1999 they switched to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. In later seasons they played at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Notable former players Internationals
Natalie Avellino Bianca Chatfield Natasha Chokljat Julie Corletto Renae Hallinan Janine Ilitch Cynna Kydd Simone McKinnis Sharelle McMahon Eloise Southby-Halbish Chelsey Tregear Ingrid Dick Wendy Jones
Abby Sargent
Fiona Themann
CBT MVP Season Player 2000Sharelle McMahon2003Sharelle McMahon2005Sharelle McMahon2007Sharelle McMahon
CBT Best New Talent Season Player 2004Julie Prendergast
Coaches Head coaches Coach YearsNorma Plummer1996–1998 Joyce Brown1999–2002 Lisa Alexander2002–2004 Julie Hoornweg2005–2007
Assistant coaches Coach YearsRoselee Jencke2000
Sponsorship Sponsors Seasons Cenovisc. 1997–1999First National Real Estatec. 2006–2007
Premierships Commonwealth Bank Trophy Winners: 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005: 5 Runners up: 2004, 2007: 2
References