A highly successful season has meant both of Avenel Football Netball Club’s senior football sides will be playing Kyabram district league finals from the weekend beginning August 24.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
As the players prepare for the big games, here are some of the stars to look out for.
Seniors
Braydon Avola:
Avola is the vice-captain of the senior squad and the reigning McNamara medallist as the best player in the league last season.
A three-time Avenel best-and-fairest winner who has featured in the best players 10 times from 14 games in 2024, he is an explosive midfielder with a great ability to hit the scoreboard.
Liam Lucas:
Lucas is a smooth-moving midfielder with a great ability to rack up possessions.
Consistently one of Avenel’s stars, he has featured in the best players eight times in 2024.
Cody Ball:
Ball is a lockdown defender who can blanket the best forwards in the league.
With a great ability to run, he is often responsible for getting the ball out of the defensive 50.
Paul Arandt:
Club legend Paul Arandt has played 320 games for the Swans.
He is a multiple best-and-fairest winner, a big-game player and reliable and classy on the field.
Dylan Hoysted:
The full forward and has kicked 40 goals from 15 games this season.
He can win any game with his goal-kicking abilities.
Dylan Ryan:
Ryan is as reliable as he is tough. Never beaten one on one, he is one of the best small defenders in the league.
Reserves
Tylah Long:
Long is the captain of the reserves and reigning best-and-fairest for the team.
A contested ball winner and great leader, he has featured in the best players on seven occasions this year.
Nathan Woods:
Woods is the team's key forward and has kicked 82 goals from 14 games.
With a booming left foot, he can kick goals from anywhere.
Andrew Dowling:
Lead-up forward, with a great work rate up and down the ground all day. Strong contested mark and kicks goals at important times.
Hamish Allen:
Allen is a skilful defender, with a great ability to intercept marks.
Setting up the game from half-back, he has featured in the best players eight times this season.
Andrew Green:
Green is a former seniors captain and 2012 best-and-fairest winner.
He may have only played two games this season but has kicked 10 goals and could be the positive difference in the finals.
Whether up front or down back, the experienced campaigner is efficient across the ground.
Hugh Smith:
One of the youngest members of the side, Smith is a wingman who finds plenty of the ball.
One of the hardest workers in the team, he loves to run with the ball and is always a threat to score.