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GISBORNE star Maddy Stewart’s popular Betty Thompson Medal win has given the Bulldogs the perfect start to an exciting BFNL grand final week.
Stewart’s Bulldogs will play reigning premier Sandhurst in this Saturday’s A-grade premiership decider.
It follows the class defender’s one vote win in Sunday night’s count at the Bendigo Club.
Stewart polled 22 votes to end the count one ahead of gun Eaglehawk centre Ashley Ryan, with Kangaroo Flat defender Danielle Markwell third on 17.
The leading trio were followed by Sandhurst goal shooter Rebecca Smith (16) and Stewart’s Bulldogs team-mate Ella Bertachinni (15).
Stewart polled the maximum three votes for best on court in five matches.
Her win put an end to a string of near-misses for the young Bulldogs leader, who had twice been runner-up and placed in the top three on one other occasion.
Stewart admitted genuine surprise at being crowned the winner, but hoped her medal win was a precursor to the ultimate team success.
“(League best and fairests) are not why we play the game, playing in a premiership on the weekend is, but it is pretty special, especially winning it in Betty Thompson’s name,” she said.
The league medal win followed another big personal achievement for the gun defender, who was earlier this month named in the Victoria Netball League championship team of the year.
Stewart enjoyed a stellar season for her club Melbourne University Lightning.
Her passion for BFNL netball is exceeded only by her love for the Gisborne Football Netball Club.
Stewart was heartfelt in her disappointment Bendigo’s bid to gain entry to the VNL – under the banner of the North Central Strikers – had not succeeded.
“There’s so much strength (in the BFNL). I think it’s been highlighted in the last few weeks where it has been really disappointing for Bendigo not to get a VNL licence,” she said.
“It’s highlighted the calibre of some of the players we do have in the Bendigo region.
“There’s some really good depth in the Bendigo league.”
The medal count done and dusted. Stewart’s focus quickly returned to Saturday’s grand final.
The Bulldogs will be chasing their first flag since 1983, while Sandhurst is seeking to go back-to-back.
Gisborne has won the past two games between the sides – by three goals in round 14 and by 12 in their semi-final -with Sandhurst victorious by nine goals in round five.
If there was not already enough motivation with a premiership on the line, Stewart expected their semi-loss would provide the Dragons with extra incentive.
“I’m expecting a nice, tight physical contest, because we know they always bring it,” she said.
“Probably not a whole lot will change in terms of our training and preparation, but in terms of their connections, Meg (Williams) and Kelsey (Meade) in wing attack have a massive connection, so we will look to block that out.”
A busy day for Stewart and both the Bulldogs and Dragons will kick-off early, with the league medallist to lead the club’s 17-and-under team into battle as coach against Sandhurst.
While her medal win was a surprise to Stewart, it wasn’t for many in the room at the league’s presentation night, or those across the league, including her coach Kim Bailey.
The first-year coach said Stewart had put together a great season and fully deserved the award after twice being runner-up.
“She really is a great player and just gives her all every week; let’s hope she keeps up that form this weekend,” she said.
“She’s a real club person, through and through, and in terms of football-netball it’s the only club she’s ever played at.
“There’s so many local girls in the team, they’ve grown up together and know each other so well – it’s great to go through netball with your mates and win these things together.
“To share the award with her team-mates would be Maddy’s ultimate wish and she’s done that.
“I’m really proud of her.”