RECENTLY, football and netball clubs have hosted presentation nights to recognise their Best and Fairest players and club volunteers.
Australian announcer Craig Willis emceed the 2024 Rosbrook Medal night, held at the Victory Room at Marvel Stadium last month. The prestigious event invites individuals from clubs who have received votes as determined by the officiating field umpires during game time.
Over 38,000 people viewed the livestream on Facebook.
The Kilmore Football Club competed in the Northern Football Netball League’s (NFNL) Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 grade.
A well-deserved accolade went to club stalwart Jacqueline Bowshall-Tanner when she was honoured as Volunteer of the Year.
The reserves’ countdown nerves reached fever pitch when Kilmore’s Christopher Jackson reached 13 votes. Coach and player Leigh Irons tied with Old Eltham Collegian’s Ben Taylor on 14 votes before finally, Fitzroy Stars player Gary Mongta reached 17 votes to win Best and Fairest.
The Whittlesea Football Club seniors soared in with their fourth Best and Fairest award in the league to date.
The team is one of 10 clubs that competed in the MC Labour Division 2 grade, and this season, the senior side remained undefeated until round 9.
Unfortunately, Diamond Creek thrashed the Eagles in the preliminary final by 93 points, and the South Morang Football Club finished premiers.
The NFNL seniors vote count was a close call, with Tye Hall for South Morang sharing third place with Diamond Creek player Dale Marshall on 16 votes each. Lower Plenty player Patrick Flynn reached 21 votes, however gun midfielder for Whittlesea Taidhg Bland was the champion and awarded Best and Fairest for the competition with 22 votes.
Kilmore’s Bernie Hede Medal night
The KFNC are still cheering after the reserves won the NFNL Division 3 flag by defeating Mernda in the grand final by 26 points.
The Best Club Person award went to Brad Mutz, and on the reserves side, Chris Jackson was named third Best and Fairest and Ryan McDonald the runner up. Best and Fairest player for the third consecutive year was Luke Gallina.
On the senior side, there was an exciting tie for third place between captain Mick Marrett and Jake Beattie. Bailey Taylor-Egan was named the runner up, and the ‘favourite’ Chris Barton won the Bernie Hede Medal.
Riddell District Football Netball League
In the Riddell District Football Netball League’s (RDFNL) 2024 Bendigo Bank Seniors competition, nine teams went head-to-head throughout the season.
The presentation night last month attracted players and partners to the live vote count, and it was Riddell player Callum Williamson who first polled in the top three Best and Fairest with 16 votes.
Kyneton’s Caleb Fisher and Woodend-Hesket player Daniel Tolman tied equal second with 18 votes, and the black-and-white army cheered when their tall ruckman and captain Chris Stewart finished with 21 votes. Stewart was awarded the Bowen and Ryan Best and Fairest medal.
Wallan also fared well in the reserves’ countdown to the Best and Fairest player.
Wallan’s Shaun Harrison was the team’s first to settle into the top three players with 14 votes, and just behind him, Romsey player Nathan Hoy collected 17. Gaining a remarkable lead, Wallan’s Matthew Traynor finished Best and Fairest with 26 votes.
In the RDFNL A Grade netball vote countdown, the third Best and Fairest was a difference of one vote, with Wallan player Dakota Lister collecting 16 votes and Melton Central’s Talasa Helen Aumua collecting 17. The runner up Tayissa Coppinger collected 22 votes, and Kyneton’s Tilly Shepherd finished Best and Fairest with 23 votes.
Dakota Lister also won the NFNL Netball Best and Fairest award in Division 2.
