Kal Huntly is in the top six players in the BFNL, according to Castlemaine coach Derrick Filo.
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The BFNL great made the comment after Huntly dominated the Magpies’ senior best and fairest award.
The 20-year-old midfielder polled 145 votes to win by a massive 88 votes from Jarryd Graham on 57, with Rhys Jenkins third on 48 votes.
“I genuinely think Kal is in the best six players in the competition,’’ Filo said of Huntly.
“It doesn’t show out when you’re in a team that doesn’t win many games, but he is comfortably in the best six players.”
Huntly stood out in a Castlemaine side that battled to a 2-16 record.
He was named in the Magpies’ best players in 13 of their 18 games and impressed for the BFNL in the inter-league battle with Ballarat at the QEO.
“It was a tough season for the club because of the win-loss situation, so it was hard to get a kick some games,’’ Filo said.
“Kal was excellent in a season where he didn’t get everything on a platter.
“I can’t remember him playing too many bad games this year.
“He’s only 20 years old, so there’s plenty of improvement to come as well.”
Filo said Huntly has the capabilities to play at a higher level.
“He trains hard, looks after himself, he’s quick, good overhead and a nice kick,’’ Filo said.
“He’s happy at Castlemaine, but we’d encourage him to test himself at the next level when the timing is right.
“He has all the capabilities to play at VFL or WAFL level.”
Huntly’s stunning senior football best and fairest win was the highlight of Castlemaine’s awards night.
In the A-grade netball, Georgia Creighton polled 22 votes to win from Taylah Sartori on 16 and Brianna Pedretti on 13.
Loche Brennan won a thrilling reserves football best and fairest count by two votes from James Cappy, while Chris Milham was third.
Hadley Bassett polled 51 votes to win the under-18 footy award ahead of Ben Guy Hough on 42 and Riley Pedretti on 39.
Nikkea Hogan won the A-reserve netball on 19 votes ahead of Brianna Pedretti on 13 and Georgia Pike on 12.
The B-grade netball best and fairest went to Lisa Ansaldi on 17 votes, from Katie Tong on 14 and Rebecca Slater on 11.
Shahni Bassett edged out Hannah Donnelly to win the B-reserve netball, while Chloe Dyson was third.
Chloe Langley was a dominant winner of the 17-and-under netball. She polled 35 votes to win clearly from Brianna Pedretti on 14 and Maddie Blake on 12.