Sport
14 September, 2023
Wimmera recognise seasons best
The Wimmera Football Netball League held their Toohey & Hatcher Senior Premiership Night on Monday at the Horsham Golf Club. There were joint winners in the Toohey Medal with Stawell’s Thomas Eckel and Ararat’s Jake Robinson polling 20...
The Wimmera Football Netball League held their Toohey & Hatcher Senior Premiership Night on Monday at the Horsham Golf Club.
There were joint winners in the Toohey Medal with Stawell’s Thomas Eckel and Ararat’s Jake Robinson polling 20 votes. Nhill’s Fraser Driscoll was runner up on 19 votes. Ararat’s Tom Robinson polled the most with 22, but was ineligible to win.
Horsham’s Brody Pope was awarded the best Under 21 player. In the reserves, Nhill’s Timothy Bone won by 1 vote ahead of Horsham Saints Gavin Kelm.
The Horsham Saints were awarded the Championship Club of 2023. It was a brilliant season for the Saints across both the football and netball.
Abby Hallam won the Hatcher Medal in A Grade Netball, Zeena Kelm the B Grade with Holly Combe joint runner-up and Georgia Baker-Miller took out the C Reserve.
Jorja Clode was the leading goal shooter with 668 goals in the A Grade whilst Georgia Baker-Miller was equal first with Demon’s Michelle Clarkson on 298 goals.
In the football, Mitch Martin was the leading goal kicker with 55 goals and Ben Knott was awarded coach of the year.
Knott said it was good recognition for hard work.
“Being awarded coach of the year is an honour. There are some really good coaches out there and to win it is good recognition for hard work,” Knott said.
“We had another year of development under the boys and it was a real team effort. A lot of work goes into it. It’s pleasing.”
With being awarded the Champion Club, Knott said it was great for everyone involved.
“We had a great representation of trophy winners across both football and netball and it was really good for the club. Everyone has worked hard this year and it’s always good to get recognised for not only the club but the supporters as well who have supported us all year,” Knott concluded.
In the other awards, Dimboola’s Holly Ross was awarded the best Under 21 player in A Grade Netball and in the C Grade it was Ararat’s Courtney McIlvride taking top honours.
Emma Mansfield from the Warrack Eagles Football Netball Club was awarded volunteer of the year whilst Stawell’s Wes Illig was awarded life membership.
The Senior Football Team of the year was also announced. Horsham’s Brody Pope, Ben Lakin and Tyler Blake were all named in the team. Horsham Saints were represented by Jacob O’Beirne, Patrick Knott and Gage Wright.
Billy Lloyd and Angus McSweyn represented the Giants. Matthew Rosier, Sam Godden and Ben Miller were named for Dimboola. Warrack Eagles were represented by Kyle Cheney and Matthew Johns.
Minyip Murtoa’s Tanner Smith was captain with team-mate Luke Fisher also joining him in the team. Stawell had the most representation with four players; Jackson Dark, Sean Mantell, Thomas Eckell and Jarrod Stafford.
What is most surprising is the best team of the year Ararat only had one player represented which was Cody Lindsay named as Vice Captain.
In the Netball, Horsham filled the majority of the squad. Georgia Carberry was named Wing Attack, Romi Miller Wing Defence and Marnie Lehmann Goal Keeper. On the bench was Ebonie Salter whom was named vice captain as well as Imogen Worthy. Tiffany Hier was named coach of the year.
The Horsham Saints had two players represented with Jorja Clode as goal shooter and Ashlee Grace was named captain in the centre.
Southern Mallee Giants Steph Thompson was named at Goal Attack, Stawell’s Lisa Fleming as Goal Defence and Nhill’s Ellen Bennett was the other player on the bench.
The junior awards were announced last week. In the football, it was Ararat’s Patrick Toner winning the Ted King Medal in the Under 17’s on 20 votes ahead of Horsham Saints Jack Henry. In the Under 14’s, Horsham’s Oakley Farr was a runaway winner in the Max McGrath Medal with 48 votes, 16 ahead of Ararat’s Will Chamings.
In the Netball, Jorja Clode won the Under 17’s ahead of Warrack’s Ava Koschitzke. Lena Marshman won the under 15’s ahead of Stawell’s Alana Graveson and in the Under 13’s Horsham Saints Olivier Taylor won ahead of team-mate Ruby Bethune.