Kirkby Echuca best and fairest
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One week after Echuca goalkicking star Ruory Kirkby earned the Wilf Cox medal in a drought-breaking grand final victory against Euroa, the champion forward claimed his maiden club best-and-fairest, as well as a player of the finals series.
Kirkby booted 85 goals during the 2022 season, including 15 in the Murray Bombers’ finals series. A season-high haul of 10 goals against Benalla was his best return.
It was an emotional premiership win for Kirkby, who dedicated his best-on-ground award and flag win to his late father.
Kirkby’s 98 votes at Echuca’s presentation night on Friday evening saw him finish seven ahead of ruckman Kane Morris, skipper of the Murray Bombers’ flag triumph.
Morris has locked down his status as one of the GVL’s best ruckmen in his time in the league, and was last year’s best-and-fairest.
Talented key defender Aiden Mills was judged the club’s rising star in the senior grade after a breakout 2022 season, with his efforts earning him a spot on Carlton’s VFL list.
– Josh Huntly.
On the back of a heartbreaking Goulburn Valley League grand final loss to Echuca, next season’s outlook at Memorial Oval is already looking bright, with news prodigal son Will Hayes has committed to Euroa full-time for season 2023.
Hayes was recently delisted by Carlton after two AFL appearances for the Blues after being selected in the mid-season rookie draft, coming on as the medical sub against West Coast, before getting his first start when Carlton took on Geelong a week later.
Despite registering a career-high 23 disposals, his outing against the Cats would be his last, after he was offered a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle that concussed Sam Menegola.
Hayes returns to Euroa with 13 AFL games to his name and a wealth of experience at VFL level, including a 2018 premiership, best-and-fairest gong and Team of the Year nomination at Foostcray.
With brother JD expected to take on more of an involvement at family stable Lindsay Park next year, Rowan said he and and the club would have to wait and see how often the brothers would run out together next year.
– James Kleeman.
Smith Kyabram best and fairest
Big marking Kyabram key defender-cum forward Lachlan Smith won the club’s best and fairest on Saturday evening.
Smith won the award from Kaine Herbert, who finished runner-up in the GVL’s Morrison Medal a fortnight earlier, and in doing so announcement his re-commitment to the club.
Smith and Herbert were both selected in the GVL Team of the Year, with the best and fairest winner polling 342 votes to finish 45 clear of Herbert.
Four time winner and champion key defender Jason Morgan was third in the award and key forward Tom Holman finished fourth.
Netball star Hollie Reid won the club’s A grade best and fairest award, having been named earlier in the Goulburn Valley league’s team of the year and finishing runner-up in the Wellman Medal.
– Rohan Aldous.
Oliver’s fourth Truscott Trophy
Echuca's Clayton Oliver has left his mark in Melbourne’s history books, becoming the third Demons player to win a fourth Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy as the club’s best-and-fairest.
Oliver saluted comfortably at the club’s recent vote count, polling a whopping 608 votes, well clear of fellow midfielder Christian Petracca (553) in second and defender Steven May (473) in third.
Oliver joins Demons legends Allan La Fontaine and Jim Stynes as the third player to achieve the magnificent feat, but at 25, the midfield superstar looks set to smash this record in seasons to come.
"For Clayton to be awarded his fourth club best-and-fairest at such a young age is an incredible effort and something he should be really proud of," coach Simon Goodwin said.
The four-time medal-winner averaged 32.7 disposals, 17.8 contested possessions, 8.7 clearances and 5.5 tackles a game this season to cap a remarkable year.
His best-and-fairest award followed a second straight AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award, a fourth-placed finish in the Brownlow Medal and his third All-Australian selection.
– James Kleeman.
Quigg Bushrangers runner-up B&F
Seymour’s Nick Quigg has capped a superb year of football, finishing runner-up at the Murray Bushrangers’ best-and-fairest on Friday night.
The Bushrangers’ co-captain finished on 21 votes, one shy of eventual joint-winners Ryan Eyers of Corowa Rutherglen and Noah Bradshaw of Wodonga.
Shepparton Swans’ young gun Max Clohesy rounded out his fantastic year with a fourth-placed finish on 17 votes.
Mooroopna’s Coby James took out the under-17 Ashley Cox most valuable player award, while Swans star Oliver Warburton was awarded the Leon Higgins under-16 MVP trophy.
Bushrangers regional talent operations lead Mick Wilson said Quigg’s leadership and on-field courage this season had been deservedly rewarded.
Adding to the accolades achieved by Goulburn Valley products, Tongala talent Harley Reid put the cherry on the cake with an All-Australian selection after a blistering year for Bendigo and Victoria Country.
– James Kleeman.
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