The best-and-fairest ceremony brought a swathe of recognition to top-performing stars from the Greater Shepparton area, with Tatura naturally at the forefront and boasting a casual six players in the competition’s all-star XI.
The biggest individual triumph came as a set of three, with the James Anderson Medal split between a leading trio as the senior men’s best-and-fairest in season 2024.
Shepparton United’s Willie Sauiluma finished joint-top alongside Epsom midfielder Cooper Arkinstall and Strathdale’s Keith Tramm to claim a share of the league’s top individual honour with 19 votes apiece, four clear of fourth-placed Tatura spearhead Fraser Gosstray.
Sauiluma was ever-dependable for United on a wing, popping up with five goals in the league campaign including a double against Shepparton South, while also contributing two in his side’s three league cup fixtures.
He, of course, also wound up in the Tatura-heavy team of the season with Shepparton South striker Stephen Appiah earning a place, though Ibis prodigy Xavier Black was deployed up front on the sheet.
United’s joys were already well under way earlier in the night with dynamo Rosemarene Legalo receiving her award as the women’s top scorer.
Legalo was as dominant on the score sheet as she could be for the beaten grand finalists in blue, finishing off 23 goals — highlighted by a phenomenal bag of seven against Kyneton District — and sitting five clear of her closest contenders.
Coach Jean-Claude Giuca was pleased at her ability to seamlessly thrive in the United tactical set-up.
“I think it’s a style of play that suits her and her capabilities,” Giuca said.
“Sometimes, certain players shine in certain teams and she gives us stability up top in the final third. She gave us a focal point to score.
“She scored heavily in a few games, but it was a team effort; she would be a holding player for some others to come through and score in certain games.
“She was a team player and not just an out and out scorer. With making the final, I was very impressed with her and everyone else who was along for the ride.
“All in all, the way she blends into the squad is a credit to her.”
She was, sure enough, rewarded additionally with a starting place in the women’s team of the season alongside fullbacks Isabella Pellegrino of Tatura and Grace Kirunga from Shepparton South, while United winger Maria Villani joined Legalo in the squad as a substitute.
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