Walsh Demons best
JOEL Walsh has capped off a remarkable season, claiming Nyah-Nyah West United’s senior best and fairest, the Pat Phelan Medal, last Sunday.
Walsh was a standout winner in his return to the Demons, after missing their 2022 season while overseas.
It was the intercept defender’s second Pat Phelan Medal, having previously won in 2019.
Midfielder Ethan Saville finished runner-up, with Kayne Davidson, Brayden Bigham and Joel Campbell rounding out the Demons’ top five.
Jason Manning took home NNW United’s reserves best and fairest ahead of Royce Free, while Darcy Butler claimed victory in the colts best and fairest award, ahead of Ethan Coe.
In the netball, Taylen Blachford took home the club’s A Grade best and fairest in her first season since making the move down the highway from Tooleybuc-Manangatang, with 17-year-old young gun Bridie Curran finishing runner-up.
Shania Kelly beat all comers to claim the A Reserve best and fairest, ahead of Jess Whitfield, while Danielle Pretty beat home Gretchen Skinner to claim the B Grade award, with Charneah Threadgold winning the B Reserve best and fairest.
Coates re-signs
TROY Coates will remain as senior coach of the Kerang Football Club, after signing a one-year contract extension to continue to the end of 2024.
“I’m looking forward to another season coaching more from the sideline next year, continuing to develop our juniors coming through in what is a really enjoyable environment,” Coates told The Guardian.
Coates, who delivered Kerang their ninth premiership last year as co-coach with Bryce Curnow, has them perfectly poised heading into this year’s finals series, with the Blues finishing the home-and-away season as minor premiers.
Shannahan to lead Blues
MURRABIT will be under new leadership next season, with the club announcing former Mallee Eagles player Jack Shannahan as its senior coach for 2024.
He will take over the reins from Mick O’Toole, who took as senior coach this year having filled the role as co-coach with Leigh Millard in 2022.
Shannahan comes to Blues with an impressive resume as a player, having played in the VFL with Geelong, as well as stints in the NEAFL, NTFL, Geelong and Bendigo football leagues, where he was an assistant coach with Strathfieldsaye.
Shannahan has also coached the Mallee Eagles colts team, and will be aiming to take Murrabit off the bottom of the Golden Rivers ladder, with the Blues having won just two games for the season.
Tigers one win away
THE Woorinen women’s football team will be looking to create history when they play Eaglehawk in the Central Victorian Women’s Football League preliminary final at the Queen Elizabeth Oval tonight.
Having finished the home-and-away season second on the ladder, the Tigers lost last weekend’s second semi-final to Castlemaine by 32 points, forcing them into a must-win final against the Hawks.
It will be the third time the two clubs have met this season, with their latest meeting coming three weeks ago in round 13, when Woorinen defeated Eaglehawk by 18 points.
The two teams also clashed in round 5, with the Tigers keeping the Hawks goalless in a 63-point win, as Samantha Johnston kicked three goals to be among the Tigers better players, along with Jemma Meehan, Katelyn Hazlett and Leonie Schulz.
