The stars of the Picola District Football Netball League were acknowledged on Monday night, with the league hosting its senior best-and-fairest vote count at Moama.
Waaia’s Ash Holland claimed the Pearce Medal for his efforts on the football field, while on the netball court Strathmerton’s Grace Thomson took home the Lukies Medal.
Both talents had standout years for their respective clubs which will see them run out this weekend in the A-grade netball and senior football grand finals at Katunga.
For Holland, a 22 vote season started in round one, where the ruckman collected three votes at his first opportunity.
Holland backed this up for a total of six best afield performances across the year.
The Waaia talent’s standout season was three votes ahead of Katunga’s Cameron Bishop and Katandra’s Jonty Wardle on 19 votes, while Waaia’s Jesse Trower and Strathmerton’s Jake Ellery were also close on 18.
Like the Waaia big man, Strathmerton A-grade midcourter Thomson polled well early, with five maximum vote performances in the first 15 rounds which helped her to 24 votes in total.
Thomson was followed closely by Picola United’s Jessica Beaton on 21, while Waaia’s Taylah Trimby finished on 18.
Two of the competition’s up-and-comers were also recognised on the night, with Rennie’s Hanna Shoppee taking out the Rising Star award for netball and Katunga’s Lachlan O’Hara winning the award for football.
Off the field, Tungamah’s Xavier Stevenson and Katunga’s Aimee Sidebottom took out Coach of the Year awards in their respective sports.
In the reserves best-and-fairest count, Strathmerton’s Daniel Buzza took out the McKenzie Medal with 18 votes.
It was an exciting count in the B-grade netball, with Katunga’s Rachael Howden and Deniliquin’s Natalie Sampson joint winners of the best-and-fairest award with 32 votes.
Lastly, Deniliquin’s Chloe Bulmer took out the C-grade gong with 36 votes and Tungamah’s Bernadette Attwood was named best-and-fairest in the C-reserve with 21 votes.