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, with the Bulldogs’ A-grade midcourter, Thomson, picking up 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 votes, while Waaia’s Taylah Trimby finished on 18.
In the football, Holland produced a 22-vote season, with six best-afield performances across the year.
Strathmerton secured another medal in the reserves football count, with Daniel Buzza taking out the McKenzie Medal with 18 votes.
Buzza picked up three votes against Rennie in round 16 and two votes in round 17, and despite not collecting any votes in round 18, the midfielder did enough to pick up the medal.
Two of the senior 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.
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 C-reserve with 21 votes.