The Bendigo Football Netball League's most prestigious individual awards will be presented on Sunday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Michelsen Medal for senior football and Betty Thompson Medal for A-grade netball have been won by legends of the competition and this year two more greats will have their names added to the honour rolls.
The Michelsen Medal could come down to players who have narrowly missed out on winning the award in the past.
Sandhurst coach Andrew Collins, Golden Square duo Adam Baird and Jack Geary, Strathfieldsaye's Kallen Geary, Kyneton's Rhys Magin and Eaglehawk's Ben McPhee have finished inside the top five in the past two years.
Collins enjoyed another good season with the Dragons in the midfield and inside forward 50.
Baird had arguably his most consistent season with the Bulldogs, while Jack Geary is a proven votegetter.
Kallen Geary led the way for a dominant Storm side in the home and away season and is bound to poll well. Young midfielder Josh Formosa is another Storm player who is expected to poll well.
Magin was the class player of the Kyneton midfield and he kicked more goals this year than he has in previous seasons. Tigers’ skipper Josh Govan polled strongly last year and it would be no surprise to see him inside the top 10 again in 2018.
Eaglehawk’s strength is its depth and a host of players will probably take votes off each other.
McPhee, coach Josh Bowe, midfielder Brodie Collins and first-year player Jack Fallon should poll strongly.
In the Betty Thompson Medal, no-one would begrudge Gisborne star Maddy Stewart winning the medal for the first time.
Stewart has been a placegetter three times, including a second placing last year when she went down by one vote to two-time winner Heather Oliver from Sandhurst.
Stewart and team-mate Tiana Newman, a two-time winner of the medal, should poll the lion’s share of Gisborne’s votes.
Oliver and Meg Williams are tipped to lead the way for Sandhurst, while Eaglehawk midcourter Ash Ryan and Kangaroo Flat centre Chelsea Sartori are top five candidates.
The Michelsen Medal and Betty Thompson Medal counts will be held at The Bendigo Club on Sunday night.
Michelsen Medal tips
Adam Bourke - Andrew Collins (Sandhurst)
Luke West - Adam Baird (Golden Square)
Kieran Iles - Jack Geary (Golden Square)
William Vallely - Ben McPhee (Eaglehawk)
Betty Thompson Medal tips
Adam Bourke - Ash Ryan (Eaglehawk)
Luke West - Maddy Stewart (Gisborne)
Kieran Iles - Tiana Newman (Gisborne)
William Vallely - Meg Williams (Sandhurst)