Mathieson Medal Best & Fairest Night

Blood Toyota GFNL Senior Mathieson Medallist: Harry Benson, St Mary's

Last night Harry Benson became a two-time Mathieson Medallist. This makes it back-to-back wins for Benson after winning the Mathieson Medal last year.
Benson only played 13 games this season, but due to an outstanding first half to the season, he managed to come away with enough votes.

"I think a few groups worked really hard over the offseason," Benson said. "I'm lucky enough to be in a group where we really push ourselves during the offseason. We drove ourselves pretty mad over Christmas, but it all came back the right way I think."

Benson suffered a broken jaw against Newtown & Chilwell earlier this season. There were fears that he would not return this year.

"I was at home the first five days and then decided to see the boys play against St Albans. Once you see them all go out there, you're invested again."

Halfway through the vote count, Benson suspected joint runner-up Marcus Thompson would manage to hang on to claim Mathieson Medal.

"I was surprised when I saw it. I thought Marcus should have won it. I always thought he was one of the more tougher competitors to play in the competition."

Darcy Lang polled the highest number of votes, but unfortunately was suspended early this season and therefore was ineligible for the Mathieson Medal.

"You always want to play against the best players," Benson said. "He (Lang) has definitely come in and set the standard pretty high."

"When players like Marcus Thompson, Nicholas Dixon, and Darcy Lang are playing, you gotta be on your top game. That's why the competition is at a high state and is a good healthy competition."

St Mary's has been the dominant force in the GFNL Senior Football competition all year and Benson would like to close the season on a positive.

"It would be good to get some team success after a couple of quiet years of no finals. We definitely have a good culture and hopefully see many more (Grand Finals) to come.

Top 3

1 Darcy Lang* (COL) 26

2 Harry Benson (STM) 25

3 Marcus Thompson (LEO) 23

4 Nicholas Dixon (NS) 23

A Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winner: Ellen Doyle, South Barwon

Top 3

1 Ellen Doyle (SB) 22

2 Emma Buwalda (STJ) 20

3 Elli Leydin (STJ) 17

Buckley's B Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winner: Laura Bell, St Joseph's

Top 3

1 Laura Bell (STJ) 21

2 Amy Hammond (COL) 19

3 Jorden Nichols (SB) 19

Buckley's Reserves Joint Best & Fairest Winners: Ben Miller, Leopold & Ryan Bell, South Barwon

Top 3

1 Ben Miller (LEO) 17

2 Ryan Bell (SB) 17

3 Sam Nichols (NEW) 14

Blood Toyota C Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winner: Holly Fenton, Geelong West 

Top 3

1 Holly Fenton (GWG) 33

2 Alyson Boland (SB) 19

3 Candice Bull (LEO) 19

Epworth D Grade Netball Joint Best & Fairest Winners: Cassidy Moore, Newtown & Chilwell and Nneka Ononye, South Barwon 

Top 3

1 Cassidy Moore (NEW) 20

2 Nneka Ononye (SB) 20

3 Kayla Biggs (STM) 17

4 Meg Sherman (STM) 17

5 Megan Parker (COL) 17

6 Stacey Learmonth (LEO) 17

GForce E Grade Netball Best & Fairest Winner: Myah Linton, Newrown & Chilwell

1 Myah Linton (NEW) 21

2 Alissa Bellears (GRO) 18

3 Kyra Clarke (SB) 18