WE start our coverage of club best and fairest awards by looking at Warrack Eagles, Ararat Rats, Nhill Tigers and Dimboola Roos.
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Warrack Eagles Football Netball
THE Eagles’ presentation night was on Sunday, September 4.
Senior coach Ryan McKenzie won the best and fairest award for his side.
Club president Bob Fleming said McKenzie’s attitude went a long way to making him a good footballer.
“He works hard and puts himself on the line to help his teammates out,” he said.
“He can win the ball himself, but he also brings everyone else into the game. There’s a number of times when he could be taking shots himself in the forward line but he looks to move it.”
The runner-up was Riley Morrow, who McKenzie had playing a new role in 2016.
“He’s played most of his football on the ball and in the midfield,” McKenzie said.
“We had him playing off half-back and he’d never played down back before so he wouldn’t have been expecting it. He’s probably the best kick in the team, so we wanted to have someone who could use the ball off the half-back line.”
Captain Ben Spicer finished third. McKenzie said he was just happy to have him playing.
“He’s the heart and soul of our football club,” he said. “ He’s very courageous and does everything he can for the team.”
Jess Kelly took out the best and fairest award for A Grade netball. Coach Emma Koschitzke said she had played well all season.
“She was our main defender and she played on some really tough opponents. She does really well against taller opponents. She’s got quite a knack for putting on the pressure and reads the play very well,” she said.
Koschitzke finished as runner-up in the award and said she did not expect it.
Ararat Rats Football Netball
THE Rats’ presentation was on Friday, September 9.
Jack Ganley won the Rats best and fairest award after overtaking Jake Robinson in the final round of counting.
The two players were a key part of Ararat’s engine room as the side built late season form and finished clear of third-placed Daniel Mendes.
The netball A grade winner of the best and fairest was wing attack Jessica Willamson.
Coach Jess Brady said her leadership and determination on court was important to the team.
“But it’s her work ethic and commitment off the court that is key to her performance and the team,” she said.
“She’s one of our main ball carriers in the attacking half. Her confidence and ability to read the play is important to the way she plays.”
Harmony Newman finished as the runner-up. Brady described her as a versatile defensive player.
“We played her across wing defence, goal defence and goal keeper,” she said.
“To be able to switch her around and match her up on different opponents is very handy for the team.
Experienced on-court leader Rebbeca Skrabl was third in the count.
Nhill Tigers Football Netball
THE Tigers’ presentation night was on Saturday, September 10.
Maddy Hayes won the best and fairest award for the senior Nhill side.
Coach Alan Bennett said Hayes had a consistent year.
“He’s been in our best players every week and we could play him anywhere on the ground,” he said.
“He was in everything and he always looks to take the game on.”
Fellow first year recruit Thomas Wheelan was runner-up.
“He started the season off like a house on fire,” Bennett said.
“He had a very good first half of the season before getting suspended. It took him a while to get going again after that. Playing down at centre half-back he reads the play well and takes a bunch of intercepts marks.
“Both he and Maddy were in their first year at the club so it’s a credit to them. It’s also a credit to our recruiters. That’s exactly what you want players to do when they come into a new side and a new league.”
Tarrah Dodds won the A Grade’s top honour and coach Emma Dickinson praised her reliable goal keeper.
“She’s our last line of defence and having a good shot stopper down there lifts the team up,” Dickinson said.
“She’s really a fantastic player, a good leader and a great role model for the young players.”
It has already been announced that Dodds will take over coaching A Grade in 2017.
Dickinson finished runner-up, ahead of third-placed Karen Shurdington.
“She started the season off in a few different positions before settling at goal attack,” Dickinson said.
“She combines well with Emma Stone and became a real focus in our attack. She’s quite challenging to play on as a defender because she pops up in unexpected places and is very deceptive.”
Dimboola Roos Football Netball
THE Roos’ presentation night was on Friday, September 9.
Young gun Ben Miller took out the best and fairest award in the seniors ahead of Hamish and Lachie Exell, in what was a tough season for the Roos’ senior side.
The A Grade netball best and fairest was Billie Barber.
Coach Antoinette Toet said Barber had evolved into a senior player this year.
“She’s been playing A Grade since she was 16 and back then she was already very consistent and accurate,” she said.
“She’s become more physical in the circle and is a strong presence up forward for us.
“I think she only had one off game for us all year, aside from a couple of quarters here or there.
“She really stepped up and she’s not even 21 yet.”
Olivia Jorgensen was runner-up in the count.
“I wish I had two Olivia’s at times,” Toet said.
“She plays her best at either end of the court and her height is a real asset.”
See next Wednesday's paper for a look at the best and fairest award winners from the top four clubs.