Rockbank’s Jordan Baumgartner took out the Steve Turner rising star award at the Riddell District Football Netball League’s best and fairest count last Wednesday night.
The dependable defender, who was one of the early-round nominees for the award, played a key role for the Rams, helping them make the finals.
Baumgartner played 17 games this season, including the Rams’ elimination final against Riddell, and was named among his side’s best players 11 times.
His award win capped off a good night for Rockbank, which was named the RDFL’s ‘club of the season’.
Rams president Mark Smith said it was good to see one of the smallest clubs in the league win the award. He acknowledged the work put in by staff and volunteers.
Rockbank defender Jake Armistead was named in the football team of the year along with Diggers Rest’s Lenny Clarke and Matthew Krul.
The Burras’ Amy Carroll was named in the Western Water netball team of the year, as were Melton Centrals’ Melissa Laird and Tran Truong.
Sunbury Kangaroos’ Dylan Murphy and Riddell’s Lauren Close took out the Bowen and Ryan medals for the best players in senior football and netball.
Murphy, in his first season with the Kangaroos, said he had rediscovered his love for the game. “I spent the last three years with Coburg [in the VFL] and I was a little burnt out, to be honest,” he said.
“I came back to play with my brother. I found that passion and love for footy again, and it showed through in my game.
“After spending a bit of time in the system, it’s easy to forget why you are there. You are not playing for yourself or the right reasons.”
Lauren Close said the league had undergone a lot of changes since she left several years ago to play in the Australian Netball League for the Northern Territory.
The goal defender was the runaway leader in her first season back with the RDNL for the first 15 rounds, but a knee injury meant it was a question whether she could hold on.
“I didn’t expect this … it was completely unexpected,” Close said after winning the award.
“Coming back into the league, it’s completely changed … the league has expanded. But it’s been great.”
