For the league to split its best and fairest vote counts across two functions and make the Michelsen Medal a grander event by including three guest speakers was a courageous move.

The winners and runners-up for the reserves and under-18s footy, and four grades of netball had already been declared on the Friday night leading into semi-final weekend.

Although not many of the first or second placegetters were at the pre-Michelsen Medal vote count, most were at Sunday's gala presentation.

In my view Sunday's event was a great success.

Unlike previous years when the counting of votes can become tedious, Sunday's function flowed smoothly.

Collingwood Football Club legend Peter Daicos,  Australian Diamonds and Melbourne Vixens goalshooter Eloise Southby, pictured alongside awards MC Travis Fitzgibbon, had the audience listening intently.

To hear Daicos talk about his remarkable career of 250 games in the "big league" was memorable.

Preparing and playing in grand finals was something Daicos did many times in his career with the Magpies.

For those playing in Saturday's battles on the oval or court for Bendigo FNL premiership glory the message from Daicos was succinct - enjoy the moment.

"You have four quarters to prove your worth," Daicos said.

Tactics have changed a lot since Daicos first played for the Magpies in the late 70s.

Terminology and coach-speak is vastly different, but the essence of the game has not.

Finishing off the play of team-mates from right across the court is what Eloise Southby did many times as goal shooter or goal attack for Melbourne Phoenix and in 34 Test matches for Australia.

A multiple premiership-winning player with Phoenix, Southby has strong links to Bendigo. Her dad Geoff played football at Sandhurst and later went on to become one of the greatest full-backs in Carlton's and the AFL's history.

The highlight of her career was gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

A final in which Bamawm's Sharelle McMahon scored the winning goal in double overtime is one of the most memorable in international netball history.

Southby also spoke about young star Chloe Watson who has progressed from playing at Sandhurst to now be in the Melbourne Vixens squad.

Southby's advice is to enjoy every moment and the challenges ahead as seasons roll on.

It's what every player in Saturday's netball grand finals will be striving to achieve under the gaze of hundreds of fans.