For a fifth consecutive year, Echuca FNC was awarded the George Hunter Champion Club trophy representing the best overall performance across all grades of football and netball.
Echuca’s A-grade coach, Belinda Lees, was awarded the senior netball coach of the year as she prepares her side for their tilt at back-to-back titles against Euroa at the weekend.
In 17-and-under netball, Rose Byrne took out the MVP Award, while Makai Cronin was runner-up best-and-fairest in the thirds.
Echuca’s 15-and-under netball side, which is also in search of a flag at the weekend, took out the grade’s goal-shooting award.
Sam Reid was recognised for his role as coach of the GVL’s interleague side, which defeated Ovens and Murray in this year’s interleague fixture.
In the major awards, the Morrison Medal turned into a two-horse race, with Shepparton Bears’ Ash Holland pipping Rochester’s Mitch Trewhella 25-24 in the final tally.
The Bears’ big man came from the clouds, polling 10 votes in the final six rounds while Trewhella stalled, going voteless over the same period.
It was a Shepparton double as the Bears’ Kim Borger received the league’s highest netball accolade, taking out the Wellman Medal with 30 votes, over the Mooroopna pair Mia Fallon (28) and Caitlin McLachlan (25).
As was eventually determined a few weeks ago, Seymour’s Riley Mason took out the senior goal-kicking award with 72 majors.