By Lauren Henry

J

unior athletes were recognised for outstanding seasons in the Wimmera Football Netball League at a best-and-fairest award evening on Wednesday last week.

Horsham Saints players Lena Marshman and Ruby Bethune were dual winners of the 17 and Under netball best-and-fairest, each polling 28 votes, with Ararat’s Bridie Price runner-up on 27 votes.

The Saints’ pair – with Lena at goal attack and Ruby in goal defence – have also played A Grade this season as well as dominating in the 17 and Under ranks, where their team finished on top of the ladder.

“It’s really special to be able to share this with Ruby, she’s actually one of my friends and I’m really glad that I got to share this,” Lena said,

In Under 17 football, Hayden Polack of Warrack Eagles won with 38 votes, while Dimboola’s Reef Ward polled 32 votes to be runner-up.

Hayden said it was an honour to win the award.

The midfielder said he hoped his team would see finals success in 2026, and he looked forward to one day playing senior football.

“I hope to stay there for a few more years and see what I can do in the senior ranks,” he said.

Ararat’s Pat Harrington won the Under 14’s football best-and-fairest after polling 40 votes for the season, with Lenny Shurdington, of Nhill, second on 35 votes.

In other netball awards, Horsham Demons player Luella Burke polled 40 votes to win the 15 and Under best-and-fairest, ahead of runner-up Zahli Mellor, of Stawell, on 33 votes, while Mia Robertson, of Southern Mallee Thunder, won the 13 and Under best-and-fairest, with 39 votes, as Emily Liston, Horsham Saints, was runner-up on 33 votes.

The junior netball coaches of the year were Jessie Newell and Emily Smith, who coach Minyip-Murtoa’s 13 and Under team, while Nhill’s Toby Marshall and Jack Mason, won the junior football coaches award.

Wimmera league’s senior awards will be presented at a function on Monday.

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