The cancelled 2021 season left football and netball fans across the Goulburn Valley unfulfilled.
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The region’s four leagues were again at the mercy of a global COVID-19 pandemic which ultimately cut the season well short of what many had hoped and, perhaps, prayed for.
As we gear up for the new season, it’s important to recognise those who were honoured by their club last year; those who put in the hard yards before their season was cut painfully short.
GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE
BENALLA
Former South Bendigo star ruckman Callum Crisp enjoyed a fantastic season for Benalla, clinching the John “Shorty” Martiniello Medal. Rhiannon Dolahenty capped a fantastic first season in the red, black and white by claiming her club’s netball best-and-fairest, the Robyn Smith Medal.
ECHUCA
Kane Morris was the Murray Bombers’ top gun, while Angela Slattery took out netball’s best-and-fairest, with Jac James securing the coaches award in a fine season on court.
EUROA
New ruck Andrew Smith was the Magpies’ best-and-fairest last year, while Eliza Hoare claimed the A-grade netball gong after finding some fantastic form, backing up her 2019 performances when she also won the award.
KYABRAM
Seymour recruit Zac Keogh secured Kyabram’s best-and-fairest in 2021, with no shortage of top talent vying to be the Bombers’ best. Hollie Reid clinched A-grade netball’s top prize.
MANSFIELD
Defensive gun Tas Clingan was a rock at the back for the Eagles in 2021, saluting in their best-and-fairest vote count. Amy Dixon-Riley enjoyed a stellar season up forward for the Eagles, taking out the A-grade netball best-and-fairest.
MOOROOPNA
Recruit Chris Nield brought his A-game to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve last year, securing the Cats’ top gong, while Maddie Wong continued her blistering form to take out the A-grade best-and-fairest in the netball.
ROCHESTER
It may have come as no surprise that former Port Adelaide and St Kilda talent Logan Austin picked up the Tigers’ best-and-fairest in 2021. Ellie Cuttriss won the race for Rochester’s A-grade netball award.
SEYMOUR
Romsey recruit Jack O’Sullivan brought an electricity to the Lions’ midfield last season which had him take out the top gong. In the netball, two Lions shared that award, with Kaita Singe and Courtney Aldous the joint-winners.
SHEPPARTON
The only club not to hold its best-and-fairest. The brains-trust at the Bears decided factors outside its control made it too difficult to hold a vote count last year.
SHEPPARTON SWANS
Congupna recruit BJ Squire deservedly saluted in his return to the Swans’ seniors in a sublime season, with Jana Riordan picking up the A-grade best-and-fairest for the netball.
SHEPPARTON UNITED
Kyle Clarke was named United’s best for the 2021 season, with Waaia recruit Mitch Cleeland a close runner-up. There were no surprises when Jess Barnes took out top gong for the Demons’ A-grade netball outfit, the Wellman Family medallist going back-to-back after clinching the award in 2019.
TATURA
Tom Sullivan was named Tatura’s top player in 2021 in his first season with the Dogs, while 2019’s leading goal-kicker Nick Fothergill claimed runner-up. Laura Ryan took out the Bulldogs’ top prize in the netball.
MURRAY FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
BAROOGA
Cal-Leighton Daly was the best-and-fairest at the Hawks in 2021, while Skye Nash strung together some superb performances to claim top spot in the netball after her move from Jerilderie.
COBRAM
Tyron Baden added another accolade to his collection last season, picking up his fourth best-and-fairest award for the Tigers. The Tigers’ strong A-grade netball season was led by Paige Holmes, who took their top prize.
CONGUPNA
James Boyer had a big season at The Road and deservedly saluted in their best-and-fairest vote count, simultaneously securing the league’s MVP award in what was a monster season. Taylah Durden won the top gong in the netball after finishing third in 2019.
DENILIQUIN
Brayden Hall secured the Rams’ top spot after a stellar season, narrowly beating out runner-up Todd Gallagher and 2019 winner Ricky Gittens. Rhiannan Maxwell was best-and-fairest for the Rams in A-grade netball, also polling third in the league’s A-grade vote count.
ECHUCA UNITED
Matt Lias claimed top honours in his first year at the Eagles, while Remy Day and Jessica Davidson were named joint winners in the A-grade netball.
FINLEY
Talented centre Angus Robertson was named the Cats’ best-and-fairest after a superb return season in the middle of the park, while defender Savannah Wilson claimed the top prize in the netball .
MOAMA
Fraser Verhey was best-and-fairest for the premiership Magpies in 2021 after making the move across the border, while Emily Taverna secured netball’s top prize in a superb season — also taking out the league’s A-grade best-and-fairest honour.
MULWALA
Lions star and O’Dwyer Medal runner-up Jackson Gash was the club’s best-and-fairest for the second season running, while coach Bre Flanagan took out the top prize in the netball.
NATHALIA
Alex Hicks was again the Purples’ top player in 2021, backing up his award-winning season in 2019 where he also secured top honours. Former Strathmerton premiership star Tegan Sutton claimed the best-and-fairest in the netball after a terrific first season in purple.
NUMURKAH
Young gun Rhys Cason was named the Blues’ best-and-fairest last season, also claiming the league’s Rising Star award in a stellar season. Sophie Morris took out top prize in Numurkah’s B-grade netball side.
RUMBALARA
Kane Atkinson and Justin Terlich had a hand on Rumba’s best-and-fairest medal in 2021, while Cobram recruit Steven Stallion came in as runner-up. In a rare occurrence, a three-way tie for the best-and-fairest goes to show the quality on the courts in Rumbalara’s A-grade netball. Maggie Hollis and sisters Leah and Akanisi Seeto shared Rumbalara’s top prize last season.
TONGALA
Ball magnet and disposal accumulator Nick Jamieson was the Blues’ best-and-fairest for season 2021 after his move from Footscray, helping to steer Tongala to a minor premiership. Milly Brock was named the star of the season in the netball.
KYABRAM DISTRICT LEAGUE
ARDMONA
Fitzroy Stars recruit Cam Hall stole the show for the Cats and took home the best-and-fairest award after a superb first season, while Kirrilli Atkinson clinched the top prize in A-grade netball.
AVENEL
Brayden Avola was voted Avenel’s best-and-fairest for the second year running, with the Swans speedster enjoying another strong season. Georgia Velt claimed the top prize for Avenel’s A-grade netball side after her stellar season.
DOOKIE UNITED
Recruit Andy O’Connor was named the Thunder’s best-and-fairest, while coach Maddison Owen edged out a strong list of contenders to earn the club’s A-grade netball highest individual honour.
GIRGARRE
Coach Bill Barnes took out Girgarre’s best-and-fairest award for the second season running after assuming the Roos’ coaching role this year. The gun swingman had another outstanding season and deservedly saluted in the club’s vote count. Holly Butler secured top prize for the Roos’ netball side after enjoying some superb form in a season where she also secured the league’s Warren Medal.
LANCASTER
Tom Davies clinched Lancaster’s best-and-fairest award for 2021. The Wombats’ co-coach enjoyed a fantastic season, also taking home the league’s McNamara Medal. Kelsey O’Neill and Bridget Murray shared Lancaster’s A-grade netball medal for 2021.
LONGWOOD
Mitchell Van De Duim was Longwood’s best-and-fairest for season 2021 in his return to Redlegs Stadium. Mollie McKeown was the Redskirts’ standout performer on the netball court, with the A-grade best-and-fairest enjoying a strong year.
MERRIGUM
Rhys Shannon enjoyed a fantastic year at the Kennel and was awarded Merrigum’s best-and-fairest. Club captain Kate Sloan claimed the A-grade netball award and was also named in the league’s Team of the Year.
MURCHISON-TOOLAMBA
James and Sharne Milne clinched Murchison-Toolamba’s seniors and A-grade best-and-fairest medals for the 2021 season, in what was a premiership year for the Grasshoppers’ footy outfit.
NAGAMBIE
Jamason Daniels did what he does best at the Lakers last season, securing their best-and-fairest in his farewell. Sharni Lloyd took out the A-grade best and fairest yet again, after the experienced attacker also claimed medals in 2018 and 2019.
RUSHWORTH
Eltham recruit Kieran Malone was the out-and-out winner for best-and-fairest at Rushworth, claiming the top gong by more than 40 votes. Janelle Doolan was named the Tigers’ best-and-fairest in the netball after a superb season.
SHEPPARTON EAST
Shepparton East’s best-and-fairest went to Jayden Damianopolous after a strong second season in the league for the Eagles. Amy Reid claimed the top prize in the A-grade netball best-and-fairest after making the move from Undera.
STANHOPE
Leading the charge for the Lions in 2021 was Nathan O’Reilly, who deservedly claimed the club’s best-and-fairest. Jemma Wright enjoyed a great season and took out the Lions’ top gong in the netball.
TALLYGAROOPNA
Skipper Zac Brett was named the Redlegs’ best-and-fairest in a tight vote count. Meanwhile, Claudia Callagher enjoyed a superb season at Tallygaroopna, helping to steer it to a title and was deservedly named the club’s best-and-fairest for her efforts. Callagher also finished runner-up in the league’s best-and-fairest vote count to round out a hugely impressive year.
UNDERA
Rhys Mckenzie was named the star of the show at Undera last season and will be looking to continue his form into 2022 under new coach Mitch Dickason. Jaidyn Mitchell had another fantastic season for the Lions, notching a 100-game milestone while securing the club’s A-grade best-and-fairest award.
VIOLET TOWN
Josh Mellington capped a superb debut season for the Towners by securing their best-and-fairest. The forward gun finished as the league’s leading goal-scorer with 113 goals. Kolby Wild was named best-and-fairest for the Towners’ A-grade netball side.
PICOLA DISTRICT FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
BERRIGAN
Fraser Haintz claimed the best-and-fairest after a stellar season with the Saints. Bec Ware claimed the top gong in A-grade netball in a narrow race, with Laura Gorman finishing runner-up.
BLIGHTY
The Redeyes’ best-and-fairest award went to midfield maestro Sam Singleton in 2021, while Emmaline Weir clinched top prize in the netball.
DENILIQUIN ROVERS
Despite a difficult 2021 season, James Gilligan enjoyed some fine form for the Rovers, clinching their top prize. Cara Meyer secured the top honour in A-grade netball.
JERILDERIE
Jerilderie’s Pearce medallist Chris Marshall claimed top honours for his club in 2021, capping a superb season after a long-awaited return from injury. Coach Ella Arnold was awarded best-and-fairest for a superb first season for Jerilderie in A-grade netball.
KATANDRA
Jack Caia was named Katandra’s best-and-fairest, while Chelsea Batey continued her sublime form to secure the Kats’ netball side’s top honour, after also claiming it in 2019.
KATAMATITE
Sam Poole saluted in the Tigers’ vote count, while recruit Sophie Bray secured Katamatite netball’s best-and-fairest, with Ria Still and Cassia Colbeck joint runners-up.
KATUNGA
Tyler Dunn was the Swans’ best and fairest for 2021, while Rachel Crowther capped a fine season for Katunga’s A-grade netball side, securing the Swans’ best-and-fairest as well as the league’s highest honour, the Lukies Medal.
MATHOURA
The Timbercutters were led by consistent midfielder Jake Ellery last season, who also finished runner-up in the league best-and-fairest count. Jordan Barrett claimed top honours for her strong performances in A-grade netball.
PICOLA UNITED
Blake Jorgensen was named United’s best-and-fairest for the third straight season, claiming the 2021 medal with an overwhelming majority after another stellar season. Jessica Beaton took the A-grade award for her strong season for the Blues’ A-grade netball outfit.
RENNIE
Chase Strawhorn had another impressive season at the Hoppers, taking out the club’s best-and-fairest award. Dean Bigger’s consistent efforts were marked with the runner-up nod. Hannah Shoppee took out the A-grade netball award after her consistent season.
STRATHMERTON
Simon Russell was named Strathmerton’s best-and-fairest in a strong season for the Bulldogs, occupying top spot in an unfinished 2021. Amy Carter took home the Bulldogs’ A-grade gong.
TOCUMWAL
Kade Rowe claimed the Jim Cullen Medal for his efforts at Tocumwal in 2021, with Mitch Collins-Bye finishing runner-up. Abbey Wilson secured the top prize in the netball.
TUNGAMAH
Nick Irvine secured the Bears’ top gong after his move from Yarrawonga, while Keely Gissing was out and out best-and-fairest for Tungamah’s A-grade netball outfit.
WAAIA
Star ruckman Ash Holland claimed the Bombers’ top honour in his debut season after his move from the Bears, narrowly beating out runner-up Jesse Trower. Holland also capped a fine season as a Pearce Medal runner-up alongside Mathoura’s Jake Ellery. Chloe Thorne took out Waaia’s A-grade netball best-and fairest after just missing out in 2019.
YARROWEYAH
Tom Scott clinched the Hoppers’ best-and-fairest last season, with coach Rebekah Jones picking up netball’s top honour.