Goulburn Valley League premier Echuca has crowned its best players for the 2022 season, with star spearhead Ruory Kirkby taking out the Murray Bombers’ best-and-fairest award.
One week after Kirkby earned the Wilf Cox medal in Echuca’s drought-breaking grand final victory over Euroa, the champion forward claimed his maiden club best-and-fairest as well as a player of the finals series accolade.
Kirkby booted 85 goals during the 2022 season, including 15 in the Murray Bombers’ finals series. A season-high haul of 10 goals against Benalla was his best return.
It was an emotional premiership win for Kirkby, who dedicated his best-on-ground award and flag win to his late father.
Kirkby’s 98 votes at Echuca’s presentation night on Friday evening saw him finish seven ahead of ruckman Kane Morris, skipper of the Murray Bombers’ flag triumph.
Morris has locked down his status as one of the GVL’s best ruckmen in his time in the league, and was last year’s best-and-fairest.
Talented key defender Aiden Mills was judged the club’s rising star in the senior grade after a breakout 2022 season, with his efforts earning him a spot on Carlton’s VFL list.
In A-grade netball, midcourter Greta Pearson reigned supreme to take the top on-court gong with 44 votes. Goal shooter Bianca Willis was runner-up with 36.
Pearson, the 2021 Sandra Cox B-grade medallist, made a strong tilt at the Wellman medal at this season’s GVL vote count, leading the way at round 12 of the 2022 season to reflect her impact for Echuca.
On top of that, Pearson was recognised as the netball club person of the year and trainers award recipient.
Pearson and Willis were key cogs in the Echuca side that progressed to finals but fell narrowly to Euroa in the elimination final.
In the reserves, Aaron Lonergan polled the highest votes to finish the year as best-and-fairest ahead of runner-up Cooper Willoughby.
Ellen Bowman took out B-grade netball’s top award with 47 votes ahead of Meg Rohde.
Tayla Wagner was judged B-reserves best ahead of runner-up Jess Davidson, who took out the B-reserve league best-and-fairest.
The premiership-winning thirds recognised skipper Sam Deola as their best-and-fairest in a thrilling vote count, with Elijah Bruns two votes behind on 86.
The thirds’ rising star accolade was bestowed on Bendigo Pioneers represenative Corbin Anderson.
In the under-17 netball, a busy week for rising star Raina Fimmel continued.
After earning the best-on-court in the victorious grand final against Mooroopna, Fimmel added the best-and-fairest, best in finals and the Karyn Monahan rising star award to a growing collection.
Holly Chadwick earned a runner-up placing after playing a key role in the premiership winners’ campaign.
Fourths captain Makai Cronin took out his side’s best-and-fairest, with Jaxson McMinn the runner-up. Cody Walker was judged the rising star.
Maisy Byrne scooped the under-15 netball best-and-fairest with Makenna James a close runner-up.