Three newcomers to the Riddell District Football Netball League have taken out the league’s top honours.
The league recognised the stars of the season Thursday night at its annual awards night.
Wallan ruck Chris Stewart claimed the Bowen Medal.
Stewart finished on 21 votes, to beat last year’s winner Dan Toman and Kyneton’s Caleb Fisher.
It was Stewart’s first season in the league having played at East Keilor and Deer Park previously.
Toman was awarded the most valuable player award which was voted on by the coaches.
Premiers Riddell had the most players in the team of the year with six.
Diggers Rest’s Shaun Campbell, Marcus Calvaresi, Brodie Meyers and Campbell Wearne were all named in the team.
Jake Armistead is the only representative from Melton Centrals in the team.
Macedon’s Al Meldrum was named coach of the team of the year.
In the netball, Kyneton’s Tilly Shepherd claimed the Ryan Medal as the best player in the A-grade competition.
She finished ahead of two-time winner Ty Coppinger, who was named the coach’s most valuable player.
Shepherd said it was unexpected to claim the medal.
“I still can’t really believe it myself,” she said a couple of days after the win. “It’s amazing.
“I kept thinking I was going to be overtaken. Even in the last round I thought it was so close, but Woodend had the bye in the last round, so it started to kick in.”
Wallan has the most representatives in the team of the year with three.
Diggers Rest’s Leona Hristovska was named at goal attack for her strong season with the Burras.
Macedon’s Katie Clarke was named coach of the team of the year.
In the women’s football, Macedon’s Ruby Watts claimed the best and fairest in her first season in the competition.
She finished ahead of Melton’s Tayla Debono.
Watts said she wanted to find her love of football again this season.
Watts said it was a little bit unexpected.
“It was really good,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting that many votes.
“I thought there were a lot of other girls out there that had a chance, I thought I might be up there but didn’t think I would win it.
“When they were reading out the votes, I thought damn I might be a chance here. I just looked at my friends and thought,I can’t believe it.”
Debono was named in the team of the year alongside her Bloods teammates Danielle Roczniak, Kareena Jacobson-Logan and Rhiannon Carra.
Tara Murray
