A YEAR after claiming the Central Murray netball league best and fairest with Balrnald, Moulamein’s Hannah Morton has backed it up with the Golden Rivers Reita Pay Memorial Award.
Morton was rewarded for her impressive season by polling 33 votes, three ahead of Murrabit goal attack Emelia Shannahan, who finished runner-up.
Macorna’s Asela Finch and Ultima’s Ash Sanders tied for third on 15 votes.
The versatile young defender played a key role in the Swans’ season, her dynamism bringing immense energy across the many roles she was asked to play for the Swans.
Morton played a key part in Moulamein’s fourth-placed finish this year but said she couldn’t believe she had claimed her second league medal in two years across two leagues.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” she said.
“I really wasn’t expecting to win but I’m pretty rapt to receive this.
“I played a little bit everywhere this year – my usual position is as goal defence but I was able to play a couple of games as centre.
“I even shot as a goal attack once or twice but that was just for a little bit of fun.
“I think I ended up with three goals for the season but I’d say that’s pretty good for a defender.
“Going into this season we weren’t sure how far we would get, but we made it to the first week of finals and shocked ourselves with how well we went.
“We have a lot of potential within our side and across the club so it’s been great to be a part of.”
Morton said her years of playing netball had had a big impact in her everyday life, whether that be at work or making friends.
“Netball is something that has always been a big part of my life,” she said.
“I grew up playing the sport and I feel like it’s contributed to my character quite a bit.
“Anyone who knows me would know that I’m a bit of a social butterfly, and I think that has stemmed a lot from being around football and netball clubs.
“Teamwork is one of the main skills I think that netball has assisted me with in my everyday life.
“The ability to work in a team is something I work hard to do, and it’s something that I take with me in a lot of aspects of my life.”
While Morton has not yet confirmed where she will be playing next season, she said she felt the Swans had embraced her.
“Moulamein reminds me a fair bit of Balranald as a club so it’s a lot like home for me,” she said.
“They’ve got a really great social side of things.
“Everyone here is very welcoming and really awesome and easy-going people.
“The Swans have really looked after me this year and made me feel a really important part of the club.”
AWARD WINNERS:
Football:
E.G. Hunt Medalist: Jack Cattanach – Hay; runner-up: Jacob Watson – Hay
Senior MVP: Heath Moloney – Moulamein
Senior goalkicking: Ryan Devereux (59) – Ultima
Goal of the Year: Ely Miller – Moulamein
Mark of the Year: Jack Headon – Hay
Keith den Houting Rookie of the Year: Sam Whinfield – Macorna
Reserves best and fairest: Josh Cameron – Macorna; runner-up: Heath Moloney – Moulamein
Reserves MVP: Josh Cameron – Macorna
Reserves goalkicking: Riley Haberman (46) – Ultima
Under 17.5 best and fairest: Sam Whinfield – Macorna; runner-up: Edward Kuchel – Ultima
Under 17.5 goalkicking: Broden Wishart (54) – Macorna
Under 14.5 best and fairest: Max Hutchings – Hay; runner up: Seth Rowe – Wandella
Coach of the Year: Mick Cattanach – Hay
Junior Coach of the Year: Billy Delmenico – Ultima
Tim Brockwell Memorial football club champions: Ultima
Les Pay Memorial League Identity of the Year: Erica Cummins – Murrabit
Netball:
Reita Pay Memorial best and fairest: Hannah Morton – Moulamein; runner-up: Emilia Shannahan – Murrabit
A grade MVP: Emilia Shannahan – Murrabit
B grade best and fairest: Madison Houlihan – Moulamein; runner- up: Sophie Tapper – Hay, Jenna Wild – Ultima
B reserve best and fairest: Leslee Grahme – Hay; runners-up: Taylah Collier – Murrabit, Mandy Champion – Macorna
C grade best and fairest: Lisa Lund – Hay; runner-up: Jen Moore – Wandella
17 & under best and fairest: Scarlet Grey – Ultima; runner-up: Georgia Carse – Murrabit
17 & under MVP: Georgia Carse – Murrabit
14 & under best and fairest: Evelyn Creighton – Hay; runners-up: Alexis McKnight – Murrabit, Charli Conway – Ultima
Junior netball distinction: Scarlet Grey – Ultima
Coach of the Year: Tayla Foster – Ultima
Rookie umpire of the Year: Naomi Heritage – Wandella
Umpire encouragement award: Jenna Wils – Ultima
Fenton Netball Club Champions: Murrabit
