Sunday night’s vote count and presentation night for the Ovens and King Football Netball League brought together the best players, volunteers and administrators from around the league to celebrate the season that was, with members of Bright and Whorouly football netball clubs prominently featured. The night commenced with life memberships awarded to local netball icons Stacey Harris from Whorouly and Natalie Kelly from Bright, recognised for their exceptional service to the league over the years. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Whorouly legends James and Lorna Neary, for their decades of service to the club in the canteen and up in the timekeeper’s box, as well as anything else which needs doing around the club. Next up were the Team of the Year awards, and local footballers and netballers were honoured for their incredible seasons. In netball, Whorouly’s Laura Keighran was named at goal keeper, while teammate Abbey Forrest and Bright’s Leshae Hogan were named in the interchange, with Lions A grade coach Kelly Cousins named netball Coach of the Year. There was also plenty of local representation in the football Team of the Year. Whorouly’s Jessie Smith (back flank) and Michael Newton (full forward), and Bright’s Cooper Thomason (forward pocket) and Cy Banks (forward flank) were all named to the team, with Bright’s Michael Quirk named football Coach of the Year. The count for the B reserve best and fairest was a tight one, with Lion Cindy Chalmers pipped at the post by Bonnie Doon’s Stephanie Evans by one vote. Whorouly’s Eloise Sheridan also polled highly, taking out the B reserve goal shooter award with 511 goals for the season. A Lion also claimed the B grade goal shooter gong, with Emily Costenaro recognised for her 509 goals. In senior football, Cy Banks was named the Rising Star after a phenomenal year, while Michael Newton picked up his goal kicking award with 129 majors. Ultimately, Milawa defensive titan Tahlia Matthews-Vincent won her first Fay Morgan Medal in the A grade best and fairest count, while Greta midfielder James McClounan was awarded his second Clyde Baker Medal in three years in a count which went down to the last match of the season. O&K finals commence this weekend, with matches on Saturday at North Wangaratta, and on Sunday at Whorouly. PHOTOS: Nathan de Vries
