The new department of youth certainly had the power at the 2021 Steeline Limestone Coast Football Association senior presentations night with some rising talents taking home the top awards.
The Senior men’s player of the year award was shared by International and Apollo guns Connor Prior and Say Wah, while the inaugural Senior Women’s best and fairest trophy went to Blue Lake/United leader Lauren Frost.
These stars are all 21 or younger and have been shining lights from the moment the 2021 season began in March and helped their respective clubs achieve great success.
The Senior Men’s medal count was always destined to be a tight one with four of the top five separated by one vote at the halfway stage.
However, the pack had some catching up to do with Prior enjoying an early lead as the first to hit double figures.
A late charge saw Say Wah catch Prior, but he could not pass him and the pair shared the top individual honour followed by Inter duo Christian Cella and Matt Bueti, who were the only others to reach double figures.
Say Wah made an immediate impact in his first season at Webb Street, not only breaking into the A Grade team, but scoring two match-winning goals in his first premiership game against eventual premiers Gambier Centrals.
With his talent quickly apparent, it was not long until James Stephenson built his entire attacking line around the number seven jersey.
Say Wah’s 19 goals scored in the 2021 season was a significant reason behind Apollo’s incredible season which led to a maiden grand final appearance in five years.
After missing out on playing the 2020 decider, Prior elevated his game to new levels in his first full year of seniors.
Opposition teams feared his spot kicks and the midfielder kicked 16 goals across the season to become an integral part of the Inter engine room.
With Prior heading off to play and study in Adelaide next year, it was the perfect send off to his time at Casadio Park.
“I slowed down a bit after a fast start, so I was getting a bit worried as Sah Way was coming,” he said.
“Last year I did not play as much, but I put in a few more hours into training which definitely helped and have come a long way in the last 12 months.
“Inter has been a second home for the last time years and I will come back when I finish school in Adelaide.”
The Senior Women’s medal appeared destined for Frost after she raced out of the blocks.
After the first five rounds the Blue Lake/United striker had already compiled 11 votes, more than double the amount of her nearest challenger Darcey Allen of Millicent.
After her mid-season switch from Centrals to International, Tess Andrews made a charge for the award she has won so many times in the past, but fell seven votes short of Frost’s total of 21.
Following years of finishing the runner-up in medal counts, the Blue Lake/United star admitted she did not expect to take home the top prize.
“It was obviously always going to be a tight medal count, so I am quite overwhelmed and stocked to get my first,” she said.
“The playing standard lifted this year, so we worked really well as a team and it was probably the closest we have ever been.
“Being the last year of United it is a bit bitter and sweet.”
