LEAGUE leading goalkicker Cooper Thomason has capped off a superb season by winning his first best and fairest trophy for United Bright Football and Netball Club.

Thomason won a close count by 11 votes, ahead of captain Sam Dalbosco (82 votes) and winger Zander Dalbosco (80).

Outgoing senior coach Paul Harrison was full of praise for young forward Thomason, who kicked 99 goals in 2024 and has amassed 255 goals in only 58 games in his three seasons as a full-time senior footballer.

“Cooper is an incredible talent for his age and he’s only going to get better over the next few years,” Harrison said.

“He’s just a natural footballer and I’d say he’ll develop into an A grade midfielder, but he has matured a lot over the last couple of seasons into a ripping young man.”

Young gun Ash Farmer won Bright’s A grade netball best and fairest, followed closely by Ash Grimes.

Natalie Kelly has been awarded life membership for her decades of service to the club on and off the court, while reserves coach and senior vice-captain Michael Elliott received the club person of the year award.

After a second consecutive grand final, Harrison has also had a chance to reflect on his own coaching journey over the past four seasons since 2021.

“One of the big highlights of my time is seeing so many individuals become better people and better footballers, and seeing how good the club is going at the moment – it’s a great place to be around,” Harrison said.

“Hopefully the playing group stick together because they are still so young and will get plenty more opportunities to win that flag.”

Harrison is looking forward to the next phase of his life beyond coaching.

“Next for me would be to give a bit back to my family and get involved in the kids’ sport more, plus we have a couple of holidays planned which will be nice too,” he said.

UBFNC Presentation Awards

Senior football

Best and fairest: Cooper Thomason

Runner up best and fairest: Sam Dalbosco

Third best and fairest: Zander Dalbosco

Leading goalkicker: Cooper Thomason

Coaches award: Jack Dalbosco

Best defender: Michael Elliott

Most improved: Tom Gray

Best in finals: Joe Gray

Reserves football

Best and fairest: Brodie Brain

Runner up best and fairest: Steve Nightingale

Third best and fairest: Marcus Kinthari

Coaches award: Archer Malkin

Best defender: Nathan Smith

Most improved: Yannick Paulsen

Best in finals: Darcy Martin

A grade netball

Best and fairest: Ash Farmer

Runner up best and fairest: Ash Grimes

Most improved: Molly Whitty

B grade netball

Best and fairest: Chloe Pasquinelli

Runner up best and fairest: Amy Ford

Player’s player: Marni Witts

B reserve netball

Best and fairest: Neve Filippi

Runner up best and fairest: Donna Stephens

Coaches award: Erin O’Brien

Under 17 netball

Best and fairest: Hannah Witts

Runner up best and fairest: Luca McIntosh

Most improved: Heidi McKee

Best team player: Zoe Whitty

Best in finals: Heidi McKee

Under 15 netball

Best and fairest: Millie Dalbosco

Runner up best and fairest: Maxie McIntosh

Coaches award: Sophie Gillham

Most consistent: Michaela Nightingale