By Max Davies
OFFICIAL proceedings for the Riddell District Football Netball League, RDFNL, 2023 season have concluded for another year as the league’s top players, coaches and clubs were recognised at its presentation night on Thursday.
The night, at Melton’s Tabcorp Park, was hosted by former AFL player and now commentator Brian Taylor.
All RDFNL clubs had a share in the winnings, celebrating a competitive season.
In the major award of the night, the senior footballer player of the year and the Bowen Medal, it was a close count with Woodend-Hesket’s Daniel Toman winning over Riddell’s Dylan Tarczon.
Named among the league’s best footballers in the team of the year were Wallan’s Brodie Gilchrist, Corey Viani, Sean Morris and Steven Boyall, alongside Romsey pair Nathan Rayment and Jack Jedwab, and Lancefield’s Riley O’Meara.
Jedwab was named 2023 leading goalkicker, booting 61 goals for Romsey.
The James Scarborough Medal, awarded to the Reserve division’s best and fairest player, was decided in a Wallan landslide with Magpies Matthew Traynor and Damian Korp taking out the winner’s and runner-up spots, respectively.
Wallan’s Kaiden Broomfield was the Reserves leading goalkicker with 34 for the season.
The best defender category was also Wallan’s for the taking in the Reserves and under 19.5s, with Josh Ruth and Spencer Whittingham winning in their respective divisions.
The under 19.5 Charles Watson Medal for best and fairest player was awarded to Marcus Tucker of Romsey, while teammate Darcy Lockens took home the Steve Turner Rising Gun Award for round seven.
Wallan Football Netball Club was named club of the year ahead of Woodend-Hesket and Macedon, with senior football manager Neil Langborne present to accept the award on behalf of the club.
In the inaugural RDFNL women’s season it was Woodend-Hesket’s Miriam Habib who cleaned up, winning player of the year, best and fairest, and named in the women’s team of the year alongside Romsey’s Nicole Steward.
Steward was also named women’s best and fairest at Romsey’s individual presentation night on September 23.
Taylah Moore, from Kyneton, was best and fairest runner-up and won the division’s leading goalkicker award.
The A Grade netball’s Jannine Ryan Medal count ended in a three-way tie between Gemma Grimmond, from Wallan, Ellen Close, from Riddell, and Tayissa Coppinger, from Woodend-Hesket.
Grimmond was also named alongside Romsey’s Maggie Lind in the netball team of the year.
Lancefield’s Tarnee Hammond was the B Grade leading goalscorer on 401, while Magpie Dakota Lister secured the runner-up spot for the 19 and under division best and fairest award.
