Sport
Who claimed the Murray Football Netball League best-and-fairest awards?
You didn’t think we would cover only the Goulburn Valley League, did you?
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The region’s football and netball seasons wrapped up a little more than a month ago and already rumours of new signings and departures are rolling through the various leagues.
However, before we look ahead to season 2025, let’s stop and celebrate this year’s stars of senior football and A-grade netball.
Here is who won the best-and-fairest awards for the 2024 season across the 12 Murray League clubs.
Barooga
Senior: Angus Cameron
A-grade: Kiera Mathers
After being on the edge of the top six in 2023, Barooga fell away this season to finish second last on the ladder.
Star Angus Cameron claimed the best-and-fairest award ahead of Charlie Ingham.
The Hawks’ A-grade netball side also had a tough season with only one victory.
Kiera Mathers won the best-and-fairest with Chloe Anthony coming runner-up.
Cobram
Senior: Sam Beasley
A-grade: Kate Bird
In a hotly-contested senior football top six, Cobram was one of two unlucky clubs left loitering on the outskirts.
While the Tigers missed out as a club, their star Sam Beasley certainly didn’t, as he was rewarded for a stellar season with both club and league best-and-fairest awards.
Beasley’s brother Harry finished runner-up in the club best-and-fairest.
Meanwhile, Cobram’s Kate Bird claimed the A-grade best-and-fairest ahead of Leah Nish.
Congupna
Senior: Jack Norman
A-grade: Morgan Zotti
Congupna got to sing its song all the way down The Road after winning its drought-breaking senior football flag.
Star midfielder Jack Norman took home Congupna’s best-and-fairest crown in its premiership year ahead of gun Jimmy Boyer.
The Road’s A-grade captain Morgan Zotti was named the fairest-and-best in the netball ahead of Taylah Durden.
Deniliquin
Senior: Sam Lloyd
A-grade: Rhiannan Maxwell
Deniliquin’s season can be deemed a success after the Rams finished in fourth and defeated reigning premier Mulwala in an elimination final.
A key figure for the Rams’ run to finals was the efforts of Sam Lloyd who claimed the club best-and-fairest — ahead of Ricky Gittens — and the leading goal-kicker award with 33 for the season.
In the A-grade, star Rhiannan Maxwell won the best-and-fairest ahead of Ella Harvey.
Echuca United
Senior: Brady Simpson
A-grade: Emily Cossar
It was a tough senior football season for Echuca United, with the club’s main highlight coming in its sole win for the season in a rain-drenched round 14 match against Cobram.
Star Eagle and captain Brady Simpson was given the best-and-fairest award for his efforts ahead of runner-up Bailey Sawyer.
Meanwhile, Emily Cossar deservedly won the A-grade best-and-fairest for the Eagles ahead of runner-up Tanner Edwards.
Finley
Senior: Charlie Lang
A-grade: Chelsea McDonald
What a season it was for Finley.
Although they finished on the wrong side of a scintillating grand final result, the Cats would be proud of how they performed in 2024.
One of the key reasons behind Finley’s rise was the efforts of star Charlie Lang, who claimed the club’s best-and-fairest award ahead of runner-up Angus Robertson — a standout player throughout the finals series.
The Cats’ A-grade side outperformed expectations this year as well, with recruits Chelsea McDonald (winner of the best-and-fairest award) and Jasmine Burke (runner-up) an integral part of the rise.
Moama
Senior: Tom Holman
A-grade: Lisa Drysdale
Moama came within 30 seconds of a grand final berth against Finley, but was foiled in the dying stages.
Forward Tom Holman secured the Magpies’ best-and-fairest award ahead of tied league best-and-fairest winner Jack Russell — bad news for Moama is that both players are off to Kyabram for 2025.
Unfortunately, for Liv Taverna and her A-grade side, they couldn’t overcome the lethal attack of Rumbalara in the grand final.
Lisa Drysdale secured the A-grade best-and-fairest ahead of runner-up Charlotte Sheldon.
Mulwala
Senior: Brodie Tyson
A-grade: Stephanie Hammond
After back-to-back senior football premierships, Mulwala was unable to make the three-peat happen after falling to Deniliquin in the elimination final.
After featuring in the best 13 times in 19 games, midfielder Brodie Tyson took home the Lions’ best-and-fairest ahead of Dylan McNamara.
In the A-grade netball, player-coach Stephanie Hammond claimed the best-and-fairest award, while Ellie Dickins and Jedda Nolen tied for runner-up.
Nathalia
Senior: Tom Nihill
A-grade: Tegan Sutton
The former Murray Football League powerhouse missed out on finals in 2024 by one win and a small percentage margin.
Purples captain Tom Nihill won the side’s best-and-fairest award ahead of star midfielder-forward Bailey Bell.
Nathalia’s Tegan Sutton won the A-grade best-and-fairest, while off-season recruit Ash Cann came runner-up.
Numurkah
Senior: Jordan O’Dwyer
A-grade: Lara Langford
Numurkah bowed out in the first round of finals after losing to Moama by 34 points.
However, the Blues had some shining lights in 2024, namely, the influence of off-season recruit Jordan O’Dwyer who won the side’s best-and-fairest award ahead of runner-up Tommy Scott.
Although Numurkah struggled in the A-grade competition, star recruit Lara Langford impressed and was crowned as the fairest-and-best ahead of Rebekah Buzza.
Rumbalara
Senior: Kydan Atkinson
A-grade: Jessie Barnes-Hill
Rumbalara made improvements on the football field in 2024.
After going winless in 2023, Rumba claimed three victories this season, with best-and-fairest winner Kydan Atkinson a key contributor — Steve Nabaki came runner-up.
The A-grade side was cruelly robbed of the perfect season after a clerical error in round 18 made it forfeit.
Understandably, it will still see 2024 as a perfect season and Jessie Barnes-Hill was a key reason for that — winning Rumbalara’s and the league’s best-and-fairest, with Sarah Thorpe coming runner-up in the club best-and-fairest.
Tongala
Senior: Alex Williams
A-grade: Grace Hammond
After finishing 11th in 2023, Tongala made a slight improvement this season as the Blues climbed to ninth with a record of 6-12.
Key defender Alex Williams claimed the best-and-fairest award ahead of seasoned veteran Jordan Souter.
Meanwhile, the A-grade side fell just short of a chance at going back-to-back as Tongala lost to Moama in the preliminary final by two goals.
Star player-coach Grace Hammond won the best-and-fairest award ahead of gun goaler Milly Brock.
Cadet Sports Journalist