ARARAT Rats’ footballer Aussie Hamilton finished runner-up in the Wimmera Football League’s under-17 best and fairest vote count in Horsham on Monday night.
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Hamilton, who has held the centre position all year in the Rats’ line-up, polled 18 votes to be named equal runner-up with Jarrod Illig from Stawell — one vote shy of winner Jackson Taurau, also from the Warriors.
The midfielder collected maximum votes on four occasions, while also catching the umpires’ eye in another four matches.
Ararat under-17 coach Brad Haslett said Hamilton has had a break out season in 2014.
“Aussie has had his most consistent year since I have been involved coaching him over the last couple of seasons,” he said.
“His main strength would be that he can kick both sides of his body and he is also a player that can run basically all day.”
Hamilton’s team mate Riley Taylor placed third in the vote count, one back on 17 votes.
Taylor recorded four best on ground games during the home and away season.
“Riley has also had a solid year,” Haslett said.
“He is an outside runner who can carry the ball and is a beautiful deliverer of it.”
There were more highlights for the Rats throughout the night with Jack Antonio, who was unable to attend the presentation evening, recording back-to-back third placings in the under 14s after another consistent year.
The skilful onballer polled in 11 of his 16 matches for a total of 29 votes, which included eight best on ground performances.
Ararat players also featured among the votes in the netball counts, with the best placed Rat being Lucy Mills who finished third with 15 votes.
Rats’ 17 and under coach Lisa Antonio said Mills has plenty of strengths on the court, including her hard running, defensive pressure and her offensive work.
“She is creative with her passes into both our goalies and particularly her patience with the ball, Lucy will wait for the right passes instead of getting the ball and giving it off right away,” she said.
“She is our co-captain this year, so of course her leadership is a standout. Lucy is just a pleasure to coach.”
The centre court player has had a taste of senior netball this season in both A and B grade, which Antonio said will hold her in good stead as she makes the transition next season.
“Both the grades have called on her when the opportunity has presented because she can fit into any side quite quickly and because of her ability to play in numerous positions, it makes her very valuable,” she said.
Talented junior Annie Shea capped off a stellar night for the club with a third place in the 15 and under B count, while Monique Scott (15 and under A) and Jessie Bligh (13 and under) received rising star awards for finishing fourth in their respective grades.
Ararat netballers Karly Griffits, Angie Stoneman, Rachael Fratin and Kaitlin McDonald were also acknowledged at the presentation night after representing the Wimmera at a number of interleague contests throughout the season.