THE Western Border Football Netball League’s night-of-nights was held Monday at the Casterton Sandford Football Club home at Island Park, with the season honours handed down.
The big award for the football season – the Brian Hennessy Medal for best and fairest – again went to South Gambier’s Brett O’Neil, which was a major achievement considering he played just nine of the 16 home-and-away fixtures due to injury.
O’Neil polled 20 votes for those games, to finish two clear of Casterton Sandford’s Michael Cummings, with Cats team mate Josh Stephenson one vote back in third place.
North Gambier’s Brad Close was voted best Under 21 player.
In a season that saw a more-even competition, there were plenty of players who polled throughout the year, but O’Neil was fast out of the blocks, performing to his usual standard early and held on to the lead in the medal count in the later rounds.
Reflecting the even spread of players across the six teams, O’Neil finished equal fourth, along with a gaggle of players, in The Border Watch/Sportspower Player-of-the-Year award.
However, the award went to Millicent’s Dylan Bromley, who after a quiet first half of the year, polled well in four of the five final rounds to claim the honours by just one vote from Cummings, with
North Gambier’s Nick McInerney a further vote back in third.
The Player-of-the-Year was judged by five separate football contributors, from The Border Watch and externally, which included Dave Turner and Gorden Milosevic.
Milosevic gave his MMM radio awards to McInerney for best player, South Gambier’s Scott Fleming for best team man and the “Farmer” Phil Scanlon Best Rookie to North Gambier’s Declan Carmody.
The senior backman-of-the-year was won by South Gambier’s Nick Jenkin and the “Western” footballer-of-the-year by Millicent’s Tom Hutchesson.
The most disciplined club went to Casterton Sandford, while the club-of-the-year was claimed by Millicent.
The senior leading goal kicker was won by North Gambier’s Tom McLennan, who finished the year with 46 goals, Casterton Sandford’s Matthew Kurzman claimed the honours in the reserves with 45 goals and Henri Capewell managed 41 in the Under 17.5 competition.
Life membership of the league was awarded to Millicent’s Steve Duldig.
In Western Border senior netball, the A Grade award for best and fairest was shared by Millicent’s Audine Bryant and North Gambier’s Lisa Fyfe, with Millicent’s Donna Denton runner-up.
Best Under 21 player in the senior competition went to East Gambier’s Brenna McKay, while Casterton Sandford’s Tritcia Cleary was honoured with life membership in the WBNA, along with Karen Bull.
The most disciplined club went to Casterton Sandford, the most improved club was awarded to West Gambier and the champion club went to Millicent.
