Walsh continues Demons reign
NYAH-Nyah West United’s Joel Walsh claimed his third consecutive Pat Phelan Medal as the Demons best and fairest player for 2025.
Walsh was rewarded for another consistent season at centre half back for the reigning premiers, with NNW United set to continue their premiership defence when they meet Koondrook-Barham in Sunday’s elimination final.
Walsh held off the much-improved Brayden Bigham, who finished runner-up, with Jaydyn Stirling, Jordan Iudica and Dom Gallo rounding out the top five for the Demons.
Walsh wasn’t the only Demon to claim back-to-back best and fairests, with Matika Mitchell winning the club’s A Grade title ahead of 2023 winner Taylen Blachford.
Despite missing several games in the middle of the season, Mitchell proved too consistent across her 12 games playing in the Demons’ midcourt and defence.
Shanai Kelly won the club’s A reserves netball best and fairest, with Kyle Armstrong and Wil Threadgold winning the Demons’ reserves and colts football best and fairests.
Salau hops to first Roos’ title
BALRANALD’S Jack Salau has claimed his first club senior best and fairest at the club’s presentation day last Sunday,
Salau, who was co-coach alongside Ben Fuller this season, played every game for Balranald to edge out recruit Cody Henness, who finished runner-up following a consistent first season for the Roos.
Salau was among Balranald’s most consistent performers this season having been named among his teams’ better players in 11 of their 16 matches and was among the favourites to win his first best and fairest.
Marshall Bodinnar also capped off a fine season for the Roos by winning the club’s reserves best and fairest ahead of Bailey Brougham, while up and coming talent Lucas Griffiths won Balranald’s colts best and fairest.
Former Julie Wardle medallist and A Grade coach Jess Parry won her second club best and fairest, with goal shooter Bec Harvey close behind in second place.
Parry returned from a knee injury that prematurely ended her 2024 season, with the shooter showing her versatility to becoming a key member of Balranald’s defence alongside Bonnie Jolliffe.
In the other grades, Faith Jolliffe was named the Roos’ B Grade best and fairest and Helaina Alderuccio won the club’s B reserve best and fairest.
Neal tops Raiders’ tally
BENJI Neal has capped off a stellar first season for Koondrook-Barham, with the inside midfielder winning the Raiders’ seniors best and fairest last Sunday.
Neal was a clear standout in his 13 matches for the Raiders, with fellow midfielder Lee Dale finishing as runner-up.
Tom Amor was declared the Raiders’ reserves best and fairest, while Kynan Laursen added the colts best and fairest to his three senior games this season.
Koondrook-Barham co-coach Emma Peacock won Koondrook-Barham’s A Grade netball best and fairest in her first season in charge of the Raiders, with the defender edging out goal shooter Erin Moerenhout.
It was Peacock’s second club best and fairest in as many years, after also winning Lake Boga’s A Grade title last season.
Also among the Raiders’ winners were Shanae O’Donoghue (A reserves), Amy Haw (B Grade) and Kayla Drysdale and Jacinta Sleep (B reserves) who were joint winners.
