By Tara Murray
It was a nervous final round of voting for Bacchus Marsh’s Abbey Bertram in the AFL Goldfields’ Women’s best and fairest award.
Bertram and East Point’s Claire Bourdon entered the final round on 19 votes apiece, one clear of Gisborne’s Marilyn Elder.
The final round was riddled with forfeits, meaning only two games went ahead. It meant only Bourdon from the three front runners played in the final round.
Bourdon failed to poll in the final round against Darley, meaning she would share the award with Bertram.
Bertram was shocked to have taken out the award.
“I had been invited and as I played interleague, I thought I had made team of the year. I didn’t think it would be because of the best and fairest.
“Everyone really excited fell as know one felt that it was coming.”
Bertram said she was shocked to see her name on the board so early, let alone poll as many votes in the back half of the season.
Bertram was sitting third when they started reading the votes in round eight.
She would poll in all but one game in the back half of the season.
She said the final round was a bit of blur.
“I was higher than I usually am,” she said. “I’ve never been close.
“I polled in a few games I didn’t think I would.
“I knew heading into the last round equal top and we had a forfeit in the last round. East Point played, but she [Bourdon] didn’t poll any votes.”
Bertram was also named in the team of the year. Team mate Callee Keating also made the team.
She said having moved into the midfield this season may have had something to do with the extra votes.
“We’ve had a few other good players come and go,” he said.
“It leaves a spot in the middle instead of being in the back line most of the time. I feel it not’s much different.”
It was special night for the Bertram family, with Abbey’s dad Rod recognised as Female Football Coordinator
“Dad puts in a lot of hard work and it’s nice for him to get some recognition.”
