2022 Bellarine FNL Presentation Night Award Winners
Dow BFL Les Ash Medallist - James Darke, Toruqay Football Netball Club
With 27 votes, James Darke of the Torquay FNC has claimed his fourth Les Ash Medal. This is an outstanding achievement for Darke as he now holds the record for most Les Ash Medals alongside Josh Finch.
"It's a pretty big feeling," Darke said. "It sounds a bit silly saying four times but I'm pretty happy with the result."
Despite the win, Darke seems to be more focused on Finals. He would rather share his success.
"I still have a bit more focus on the Finals coming forward. Playing full team succession is what you play for, and it's much better winning something with 22 blokes by your side instead of just yourself."
His brother signing up with Torquay has been a huge inspiration for Darke that has given him more drive to push himself.
"A few years ago my brother has come down, it feels good to go head-to-head with him with him at training there have been a few scuffles."
"Sometimes I have to pull him in line a bit, he's a little more aggressive than me. But it's good to play with him."
With the season cancelled by Covid, Darke is looking forward to Finals this week.
"A couple of years have been spoiled by Covid obviously, so I'm really looking forward to the pressure that Finals brings, and the enjoyment of it."
Top 3
1. James Darke (TOR) 27
2. Sammy Baker (BH) 21
3. Sam Darley (GA) 21*
DOW BFNL A Grade Netball Best & Fairest - Kaitlin Gladman, Queenscliff Football Netball Club
With 31 votes, Kaitlin Gladman of Queenscliff has won the A Grade Netball Best & Fairest. Gladman has been an impressive youth for some time now, winning the Rookie of the Year in 2019.
"I feel pretty stoked," Gladman said. "I had no idea, I never would have thought I'd be up here, I'm very happy."
Gladman was also selected in this year's Netball Team of the Year but wasn't confident she would poll well in votes for Best & fairest.
"It's great to be in the Team of the Year, but you never know (with the voting). It's umpires and coaches (deciding that), so it's completely different."
Preparations for sports have been difficult in the last two years, but for Queenscliff, it was all about culture.
"I think it was more about just getting people around, and getting to loving netball and sport as a whole again. We focused on our culture this year, and it was really good to get around the girls and just have a lot of fun with it."
There were some very narrow losses this season for Queenscliff but Gladman believes there is strength in their youth.
"We have so many young girls in the team as well, so definitely in a couple of years we'll be able to come back physically stronger and hopefully we can take it up to the higher teams."
Top 3
1. Kaitlin Gladman (QUE) 32
2. Rebecca O’Neill (OG) 27
3. Jessica Duke (NP) 25
Buckley's BFNL Don Cole Medal - Leigh Anderson, Modewarre Football Netball Club & Nick Garner, Torquay Football Netball Club
Top 3
1. Leigh Anderson (MOD) 18
1. Nick Garner (TOR) 18
3. Taylor Bonner (DRY) 12
Buckley's BFNL B Grade Netball Best & Fairest - Jessica Kelly, Geelong Amateur Football Netball Club
Top 3
1. Jessica Kelly (GA) 24
2. Sharon Ford (GA) 20
3. Claudia Britt (OG) 18
Epworth BFNL Senior C Grade Netball Best & Fairest - Lauren Richardson, Modewarre Football Netball Club
Top 3
1. Lauren Richardson (MOD) 29
2. Gemma Bell (OG) 27
3. Alyse O'Keefe (OG) 16
Geelong Advertiser BFNL Senior D Grade Netball Best & Fairest - Kirrily Sager, Queenscliff Football Netball club
Top 3
1. Kirrily Sager (QUE) 24
2. Sheree Gotts (MOD) 23
3. Tori Hogan (MOD) 21
Geelong Advertiser BFNL Senior E Grade Netball Best & Fairest - Jalen Walsh, Geelong Amateur Football Netball Club
Top 3
1. Jalen Walsh (GA) 22
2. Terri-Anne Finch (OG) 17
3. Lara Barnes (OG) 16
Other Winners
Netball Rookie of the Year - Jamison Camilleri, Portarlington
Football Rookie of the Year - Kye Annand, Ocean Grove
Senior Football Goal Kicking award - Matt Hebbard – Drysdale
