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    SEASON’S BEST: Joint winner of the 2021 Wimmera league under-17 best and fairest award Sonny Kettle, Ararat.
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    SEASON’S BEST: Joint winner of the 2021 Wimmera league under-17 best and fairest award, Oscar Gawith, Minyip-Murtoa.

Wimmera League celebrates 2021 standouts

Despite disappointment surrounding the cancellation of football-netball finals in the region, Wimmera Football Netball League will look to finish its season on a high tonight by celebrating its 2021 standouts.

League leaders will announce the winner of the coveted Toohey Medal for the best and fairest senior footballer and its A Grade counterpart, the Hatcher Medal, during radio and online presentations.

ACE Radio announcer Adam Roche and Local Footy Live presenter Grant Kuchel will lead hosting duties for the counts, on 1089 3WM from 7pm. 

People can also view the counts on The Weekly Advertiser’s YouTube page at https://www.you tube.com/watch?v=C4Y4znMxLyw.



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The league has already announced reserve, remaining senior netball and junior football and netball winners. 

Horsham’s Tim Wade was crowned reserves best and fairest on Monday night. 

Wade polled 16 votes throughout 13 weeks of play to win the Hank Neil Medal ahead of Horsham Saints forward Gavin Kelm, 13 votes, who has claimed the medal the past two seasons. 

Minyip-Murtoa’s Adam Schache was third on 12 votes, while Horsham Saints’ Jake McIntyre was this year’s reserves leading goal-kicker, booting 47 goals for the season.

Dimboola centre Abbey Greig won recognition for her outstanding 2021 season, taking out the B Grade best and fairest accolade on 22 votes, five clear of her nearest rival.

Greig led by two votes after round eight and went on to poll in all bar one of the remaining games of the season.

Horsham defender Romi Miller was runner-up on 17 votes, with Stawell’s Meg Walker third, polling 14 votes for her defensive efforts.

Stawell stalwart Tracey Dark not only played her 450th game in 2021, she also topped the ladder for this year’s C Grade best and fairest award.

The popular defender collected 21 votes to win the accolade ahead of Horsham Saints defender  Zeena Kelm. Kelm polled 18 votes to secure runner-up honours ahead of Warrack Eagles team-mates Shelby Eckermann and Hannah Burke, 16.

Stawell centre Jessie Cowen enjoyed a comprehensive win in the C Reserve count, polling 17 votes in eight games to win best-and-fairest honours.

Saints goalie Sherri Hicks was runner-up on nine votes, with team-mate Olivia Morris and Warrack Eagles’ Emma Byron tied for third on seven votes apiece.

Minyip-Murtoa’s Oscar Gawith and Ararat’s Sonny Kettle shared under-17 football honours after polling 16 votes each.

Joel Freijah, Horsham Saints, was second on 14, with third place going to Horsham’s Oscar Miller, 12.

Stawell’s Molly Orr polled 20 votes to win the 17 and under netball best and fairest, two votes ahead of Southern Mallee Giants’ Abby White.

It was a three-way tie for third between Horsham Demons team-mates Jemma Thomas and Imogen Worthy and Horsham Saints’ Georgia Baker-
Miller, all on 15.

The 15 and under netball count was a close one, with Charlie Inkster, Warrack Eagles, and Eva Manserra, Horsham, sharing the spoils on 20 votes. 

Jorja Clode, Horsham Saints, was second on 17, a vote ahead of third-placed Ruby Peters, Stawell, and Jordy Bligh, Ararat.

Ararat’s Wilbur Shea and Horsham’s Max Bunworth were clear standouts in this year’s under-14 football competition, with Bligh claiming the division’s accolade by a single vote on 29.

Bunworth secured runner-up honours 10 votes clear of the pack, with Ararat’s Patrick Toner third on 18 votes.

One vote also separated the leaders in the 13 and under netball count, with Stawell’s Sophie Hutton, 17, winning ahead of Warrack Eagles’ Lauren Clyne and Horsham Saints’ Gemma Freijah.

Fellow Saint Cara Tippet was a further vote behind in third. 

Wimmera Football Netball League will also announce its ‘volunteer of the year’ winner tonight.