Back-to-back Barry
WOORINEN’s Jye Barry put the exclamation mark on a terrific individual 2022 season by taking out both the Tigers’ senior best-and-fairest and most-valuable-player awards at the clubs presentation day. It was Barry’s second straight Butler Medal.
Fellow midfielder Josh Domaille finished runner-up and Arnold Kirby, Henry Thompson and Robbie Miller rounded out the top five in the voting in a season when Woorinen when were bundled out in the preliminary final by eventual premiers Kerang.
There were no surprises in the Tigers’ netball awards, with champion defender Tessa Demaria a deserved winner of Woorinen’s A Grade best-and-fairest trophy. Goal attack Emily Siely finished runner-up. In A Reserve, Gwennie Thompson took home the best-and-fairest award ahead of Annie Steicke. The B Grade netball best-and-fairest award was won by Tenay Fellows, with Toni Bolton runner-up, while Gab Boers was the B Reserve best and fairest ahead of Nichola Pye.
In reserves football, Jason Iannucci claimed both the McKerrow Medal as best and fairest and the most valuable player awards, while Joseph Kelly finishing runner-up.
Trio sign at Kangas
THE Cohuna Kangas are leaving no stones unturned in their attempts to go one step further in season 2023, announcing recently the signing of three new players to their squad.
Leitchville-Gunbower defenders Toby Duncan and Blake Gelletly will cross to the Kangas next season to bolster the club’s defensive stock. Duncan will play as an attacking key defender and Gelletly more of a shut-down backman.
Season 2023 will also see the return of former local Will Thrum, who has re-signed at his home club after a two-year stint with Bendigo Football League side Golden Square. Thrum played 17 senior games for the Bulldogs in a variety of roles, however is expected to spend the majority of his time in purple on the wing and up forward, where he can use his pace and class to full effect.
Roos raid Swans nest
ULTIMA have made their first steps towards climbing the Golden Rivers ladder next season, unveiling their first new recruits to sign this off season.
While the news might be good for the Roos, it’s not so good for Swan Hill supporters, with the Makepeace brothers, Mitch and Tyler, heading west to Ultima – along with fellow Swan Jack Fletcher. All three players will be strong inclusions for an Ultima outfit that won just two games for the season and won their second successive wooden spoon.
At the same time, their departure from Swan Hill will be well felt by the Swans, who also had a year to forget and will be looking to rebuild under the tutelage of club veteran and former Swan Hill premiership coach Cal Beasy.
