Monday’s Morris and Wilson Medal night brought together the entire Ovens and Murray Football Netball League community to recognise the best among them, including players, administrators, volunteers and umpires.
Wangratta Rover gun Lochie O’Brien took out the league’s top individual honour with 19 votes, alongside Lavington’s Shaun Driscoll and Myrtleford’s Jaxon East.
It’s only the second time in the league’s 132 years there’s been a three-way tie for the Morris Medal, and just the sixth time a Rover has taken out the award, the first since Robbie Walker in 2003.
East and O’Brien were joint leaders heading into the final round of the year but didn’t poll a vote in round 18, but a three-vote performance from Driscoll saw the three-way split.
O’Brien polled in eight games, with four best-on acknowledgements, and thanked his family, his partner, and the club and his teammates in his acceptance speech.
“Things obviously didn’t work out the way I planned as a kid throughout my AFL career - now I’ve found a new home and it feels nice to be able to call it that,” he said.
“Travelling up the highway every weekend, it feels like the place you want to be. I’ve really appreciated my time, we’re on the path to something pretty special, hopefully we can go on and do it again this weekend.
“We went and showed last year that it doesn’t matter the form of the team that is the favourite, you’ve got to respect anyone who comes and plays on the day.
“I’m sure ‘Muz’ [coach Sam Murray] and definitely Wendy [co-president Wendy Lister] will get us all revved up and ready to go.
“Credit to Wangaratta for getting themselves there from fifth, it’s a pretty amazing effort, and I’m sure it’ll be a really good contest on the weekend.”
Earlier in the night, Wangaratta Rover Lily Palmer took out the 17 and under netball best and fairest award with 26 votes, shared with Myrtleford’s Lily Boyer.
Palmer polled in 11 games for the season, with six best on court performances.
“I want to thank Rovers for being such an amazing club, everyone who helps out – it just makes it such a great season,” she said in her acceptance speech.
“The biggest thank you to my team and ‘Mina’ [Stacey Lamb], she’s the best coach I could’ve ever asked for.”
Rover Bree Schutt polled equal fourth in the B grade count with 18 votes, while Magpie Olivia Szeligiewicz finished third with 19.
Milly O’Kane (Wangaratta), Holly McCarthy (Rovers), and Amelia Sharp (Rovers) were all nominated for the Netball Rising Star award, while on Noah Scholte from Wangaratta Rovers won the Football Rising Star award.
Owain Boyle from Wangaratta was named Thirds Player of the Year as voted by opposition coaches, and finished fourth in the best and fairest count, while Rover Cooper Boman finished second.
The club championship awards were split, with Rovers winning Cleaver Bunton Cup for the football club championship – their third in four years - while the Magpies won the overall club championship, their fourth time receiving the award.
Rover Sam Comensoli was runner up in the reserves best and fairest, finishing with 14 votes.
The local clubs were well represented in the Teams of the Year, with Magpie Leah Jenvey named to the interchange for the netball side, and six players picked in the football Team of the Year.
Rovers Jace McQuade (back pocket), Lochie O’Brien (wing), Sam Murray (centre, also captain), Ed Dayman (ruck), and Charlie Thompson (ruck rover) were all selected, while Magpie Alex Federico was named to the rover position.