Bacchus Marsh’s Scott Sherlock and Darley’s Brian Graham were pipped at the post for the Ballarat Football Netball League’s highest honour.
The two finished equal runners-up in the Henderson Medal, three votes behind Redan’s Nathan Horbury.
Horbury started the season slow, before coming home strongly and hit the front in round 16.
He polled three votes in the final round against Bacchus Marsh to seal the win.
Graham and his playing coach Heath Scotland led the count early, with Scotland polling 12 votes in the first six rounds. Graham was in front after round nine with 15 votes and second on that number of votes after 12 rounds.
He missed three games in the back half of the season, playing with Essendon’s VFL side, which hurt his chances.
Sherlock hit the front for the first time in round 12 and became the outright leader in round 14 when he polled three votes. A hamstring injury the following week ended his home-and-away season, but he remained in front until the final votes of the night.
Sherlock was one of four Cobras’ players named in the team of the year. Trent Angwin, Jackson Bolton and Dean Heta were also named in the team.
The Devils had equal most players named in the team of the year with five, including Graham, Kyle Docherty, Chris Graham, Scotland and Shane Page. Scotland was coach of the year, while Page, who was named on the bench, was named captain of team of the year.
Melton’s Braeden Kight and Melton South’s Mark Lynch were also named in the team of the year.
In other awards, Bacchus Marsh’s Leo Nunn was one of four winners of the club 18 division best and fairest award.
Melton South co-coach Brendan Fevola won the Tony Lockett goal kicking award for the senior competition and the goal of the year, but failed to poll a vote in the Henderson Medal count.
Panthers’ Johnanne Hunt won the under-19 netball best and fairest award.
In other awards, Sunbury Lions Ashleigh Hardy and Redan’s Ruby Parry shared the Sally McLean Trophy for the A-grade netball best and fairest.
Overall Sunbury Lions won the club of year, which was based on points allocated for wins in both netball and football.
