First-time Mathieson and Woolley medallists crowned | 2026 Geelong FNL Awards

Football Wrap

Leopold’s Mitchell Burgess has topped off his first season as skipper with a maiden Don Mathieson Medal after polling 23 votes in the count.

Burgess’ win was even more impressive considering he missed three games throughout the season.

But in his 15 games he was named in the best for Leopold seven times.

A smooth mover, Burgess’ speed and kicking ability has made him one of the GFNL’s best players.

Burgess displayed his ability to find the ball as he averaged 28.2 disposals a game across the season.

For Burgess, his capacity to gain possession comes not just in the one position. His ability to play off both half-back and in the midfield has made Burgess a dual threat.

His defensive prowess was on show across the season as he averaged 7.9 intercept possessions.

A Warrnambool junior, Burgess has racked up 79 games for the Lions since first arriving in 2021.

The highlight of these 79 games has undoubtedly been the back-to-back premierships in 2023 and 2024.

Looking at this season, his best statistical performance came in round 2 against North Shore as Burgess racked up 40 disposals to lead the Lions to a strong win.

That was backed up the next round with 3 vote performance in Leopold’s thrilling 2-point Anzac round win against Colac as Burgess accumulated 28 disposals.

In a six-game stretch from rounds 12 to 17, Burgess was awarded 16 out of a possible 18 votes.

A maiden Mathieson Medal, two premierships and 79 games in the green and yellow have cemented his place among Leopold’s key figures, with the Lions captain now hoping to turn his individual success into team success in 2027.

Closely following Burgess was a tie between Ned Harris of Newtown & Chilwell and Doyle Madigan of South Barwon on 22 votes.

Harris was consistent across the year only dropping below 20 disposals once in the home and away season while being named in the best 14 times in his 17 games.

Madigan, the 2024 Mathieson Medallist continued to shine this season averaging 23.1 disposals a game.

In fourth place was South Barwon’s Todd White who finished the count on 14 votes.

Across the season White averaged 105.8 ranking points and 25.2 disposals a game.

In fifth position was St Albans’ Fletcher Keck and Bell Park’s Jack Sarcevic who both polled 13 votes.

Keck found the footy regularly across the season racking up 25 disposals or more in half of his games.

Sarcevic found the goals regularly this season with 40 goals in 13 games in the home and away season.  

In the Jim & Bill Allthorpe Medal for the Reserves Best and Fairest, ruck Alex Souflas of Newtown & Chilwell topped the count with 20 votes.

Souflas was named in the best 8 times across his 16 games this season.

Runner up to Souflas was Harry Cunningham of South Barwon with 16 votes.

In his 14 reserve games Cunningham kicked 29 goals to be a regular feature in the goal-scorers column.

There was a 3-way tie for third with Charlie Meadows of South Barwon, Damon Schroeder of Bell Park and Anthony Tanner of Leopold all finishing the count on 15 votes.

A full list of award winners and leaderboards can be found below.

Don Mathieson Medal Leaderboard:

P&R Foods Rookie of the Year: Zach Stevens (South Barwon)

Coaches of the year: Luke Rayner/Ben Boseley (St Mary's)

P&R Foods Coaches player of the year: Tom Higgins (St Albans)

Leading Goalkicker: Tom Higgins (St Albans)

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES

Jim & Bill Allthorpe Medal Leaderboard:

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES

Netball Wrap

The Julia Woolley Medal for the A Grade Best and Fairest saw a close finish at the top as Kiahna Fallon from St Joseph's took home the award after finishing 21 votes.

St Mary's Eliza Brown was not far behind, polling 20 votes on the night.

In third spot was Newtown's Julia Woolley herself polling 19 votes.

In the Geelong FNL B Grade Buckleys Cup, Eliza Hannagan of Newtown & Chilwell was awarded the Best and Fairest after polling 22 votes.

Runner up to her South Barwon’s Amali Hill who polled 18 votes.

Third spot in the count was a 5-way tie.

In the Geelong FNL C Grade Town and Country Pizza Cup, Jemma Kelly of St Mary's came away the Best and Fairest after polling 25 votes in the count.

Runners up to her was Kirsty Fagan of Leopold and Alyssa Dreaneen of Newtown & Chilwell who both polled 25 votes.

In the Geelong FNL D Grade Holiday Inn & Suites Cup, the Best and Fairest was awarded to back-to-back winner Sophie King with 25 votes from St Joseph's.

Runners up to King was Emily Keown of South Barwon and Sarah Campbell of Bell Park who both polled 22 votes.

In the Geelong FNL E Grade Epworth Cup, Bell Park’s Tess Hansford was awarded the Best and Fairest with 23 votes in the count.

There was a tie for runner-up with Esther Wharton of St Marys and Samantha Chapman of South Barwon both polling 21 votes.

The full list of award winners and leaderboards can be found below.

P&R Foods Coaches player of the year: Vanessa Augustini (Newtown & Chilwell)

P&R Foods Rookie of the year: Indi Madden (St Joseph's)

Coach of the Year: Kathryn Vickers (St Mary's)

A Grade hotshot: Holly Adams-Alcock

B Grade hotshot: Tyler Lewis

C Grade hotshot: Miranda Budde

D Grade hotshot: Cailtin Newcombe

E Grade hotshot: Jess Johns

Julia Woolley Medal Leaderboard:

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES

Geelong FNL B Grade Buckleys Cup Leaderboard:

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES

Geelong FNL C Grade Town and Country Pizza Cup Leaderboard:

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES

Geelong FNL D Grade Holiday Inn & Suites Cup Leaderboard:

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES

Geelong FNL E Grade Epworth Cup Leaderboard:

FULL CLUB BY CLUB VOTES