Topping the League 1 Men's best-and-fairest count was Shepparton United sensation Riki Koyanagi, who dominated in his debut season at McEwen Reserve.
The dynamic attacking weapon netted an impressive 16 goals and played a crucial role in the Blues' championship victory, while Shepparton South’s Nick Murphy was also rewarded for a fine season in the black and white, placing equal-second.
But the night belonged to Koyanagi, with coach Roven Shaholli - who was named BASL Coach of the Year - paying tribute to his “good luck charm”.
“He’s a shy guy; he didn’t say much at the start, but you could tell he had a lot of talent,” Shaholli said.
“It took him a week or two to get comfortable with the boys, a man of not many words, but by the end of it, he was basically leading the boys at every training.
“The clubrooms lit up every time he spoke - very loved, very good guy.
“(Riki’s) very determined with a lot of courage. He’s just one of those good luck charms that just popped in.”
The Blues dominated the 2025 All-Star Team selections with seven players, including standout Koyanagi and rising star Hassan Alhilfi, who secured the Young Player of the Year accolade.
The All-Star forward line boasts League Golden Boot winner Xavier Black (22 goals for Tatura) and Shepparton South's Craig Mathieson, while the midfield features Ibises' Tristan Zito, alongside standouts Koyanagi, Keegan Smyth, and Alhilfi.
Shepparton South’s Greg Nash has been named captain, with United’s Willie Sauiluma, Thomas Raditsas, and Shepparton’s Bryan Nyetam-Mawo named on the defensive half of the pitch.
South shot-stopper Ryan Hopping was named as the Team of the Year goalkeeper.
A strong bench, including Imran Mohammadi (Shepparton United), Cooper Gosstray (Tatura), Declan Cahill (Eaglehawk), Mario Peche Marote (Shepparton), Marcus Thomas (United), and Zamel Al Zamel (La Trobe), rounded out the team.
In the League 1 Women’s count, Shepparton United’s Rezwana Baqiri made it a Blues shut-out by claiming the division’s best-and-fairest award.
The United co-captain finished third last year but went one better after an impressive year through the Blues’ midfield, leading her side to a semi-final appearance.
Baqiri, Rebekah Lawson, Sarah Loverso, and Amelia Rando earned inclusion in the League 1 All Stars team.
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