IT was a bumper night on Thursday night for the Riddell District Football Netball League as it hosted its awards night, with Wallan, Lancefield and Romsey well and truly in the mix for many awards on the night.
Wallan came close to adding yet another entry to its illustrious list of Bowen Medal winners, with last year’s victor, Steven Boyall, finishing runner-up this time around. Melton South’s Blake Souter was the winner of the award.
However, the Magpies were exceptionally well-represented in the team of the year, with four entrants.
Young Gun winner Nash King was named on a wing, while dependable defender Owen Fowler was named at full back. Utility Dion Hill was named at centre-half-back, while leading goalkicker recipient Lachlan Smart was named in the forward pocket.
Romsey had two members of the team, with playing-coach Nathan Blair named in the back pocket, while goalkicking machine Jack Jedwab was named at centre-half-forward.
Wallan was also well-represented in the other football grades.
Shaun Harrison finished runner-up in the reserves’ best and fairest, which was won by Kyneton’s Jacob Poyser, while in an exceptionally close Club 18s count, Daniel Perkins was runner-up alongside three other players, just trailing Bacchus Marsh’s Andrew Erhardt and Darley’s Benn Matthews as joint winners.
Wallan did take home a medal thanks to James Kelly, winning the under-19.5 Charles Watson medal.
Lancefield and Romsey were very well represented on the netball court.
All three teams had representatives in the netball team of the year, with Wallan’s Rebekah Konstantopolous named as goal attack, Lancefield’s Bella Collodetti named as wing defence, and Romsey’s Abbie Conway a sub. Wallan coach Lucas Bennett-Hullin was named as the coach of the year.
In B-grade, unstoppable goal shooter Tarnee Hammond was both the leading goalscorer and the best and fairest for Lancefield.
Romsey’s Millie Coughlan was the runner-up in the D-grade netball competition, but the Redbacks’ Josie Lepore was a dominant winner in the 19 and under competition.
Lancefield had six representatives in the senior women’s football team of the year.
Emily O’Brien was named on a wing, while Harmony Cassar and Molli Libardi were named on both respective half forward flanks. Luzanne De Kock was named in the forward pocket, while Alice Bromley (ruck rover) and Lilly Bromley (interchange) completed the list.
Wallan and Lancefield were also well represented in best defender awards.
The best defender in senior football went to the Tigers’ Walter King, a big effort given the Tigers went winless.
In B-grade, Darcee Ellard took the gong for the Tigers, while Wallan’s Olivia Colbert was the winner of the 19 and under best defender.
Lancefield was also a recipient of the Unsung Hero award, with Tigers’ president Chris Dynon claiming the award.
The other major awards on the night saw Kyneton’s Kristiana Manua scoop the pool, claiming the Ryan Medal for the A-grade best and fairest and most valuable player. Gisborne Giants’ Malia Seumanutafa was runner-up.
Woodend-Hesket champion Daniel Toman was voted the men’s most valuable player, while in the senior women’s competition, Macedon dominated, with Cats duo Ruby Watts and Taya Konias finishing 1-2.
