The top performers across 2022 will be recognised this Sunday when the Western Border Football League and Netball Association enjoys its presentations day at South Gambier.
It is always a grand occasion, but there will be further intrigue around who will wear the A Grade best and fairest medals this year with new winners likely to be crowned.
The man wearing the prestigious Brian Hennessy Medal around his neck at the end of last year’s count was Millicent coach Clint Gallio.
Although he has led his team to yet another grand final, the gritty coach’s hopes of clinging onto the medal are slim after he only played five of a possible 16 games due to injury issues.
One man who could rocket into contention is Dylan Bromley after his show-stopping finish to the season which included 27 goals from his last five games.
The likes of Sam Willis, Jacob Carger and Frazer Bradley also cannot be discounted after they produced another consistent season.
Minor premiers South Gambier was the team to catch for the majority of the season and leading from the front was coach Brayden Kain.
Kain only missed one game due to SA Country duties, but still managed to top the goal-scoring charts with 59 straight kicks.
He was far from a one-man act however, with young names like Brock Keding and Todd Reid having greatly impressive seasons.
One man who is always in the mix is North Gambier midfielder Nick McInerney and his name was always among the best each week.
This type of consistency could be decisive, while other Tigers to look out for are Justin McConnell, Jake Schutz and runner-up leading goal kicker Sam Stafford.
Under the guidance of new coach Daron McElroy, West Gambier sprung some surprises and some of these efforts could be recognised.
Although McElroy himself had a productive year despite some injury niggles, the likes of Lawry Bradley-Brown, Jordan Williams and Michael Minuzzo were always standing tall.
In what could potentially be the club’s last Western Border campaign, Casterton Sandford was not without its impressive players.
Diarmid Cleary was the clear standout once again, while younger names such as Adam Mckinnon, Alastair McCrae and Billy Galpin also had their moments.
It might have been a season to forget for East Gambier, but some individuals still enhanced their reputations.
Coaches Matt Scanlon and Jayden Eldridge are some of the most respected names in the competition, while Shaun Lock took a big stride forward.
There will also be a new winner in the fight for the netball A Grade top award.
Not only last year’s medal count, but the last three best and fairest gongs have been scooped up by East Gambier sharpshooter Tenille Gray.
But after Gray departed the “Kennel” in the aftermath of last season’s premiership, the door is open for a new face to receive the accolades.
The race for last season’s medal was a thriller with Bulldogs’ trio Gray, Emily Hunter and Lisa Fyfe all looking set for the prize at the death.
But only Hunter remained this year and led a side which battled injury issues and this could hurt the chances of Bulldogs stars such as Tarsh McCallum and Amryn Bosko.
Millicent netballers are always near the top of the medal counts and this year should be no different with Lisa Duldig and Demi Verbana leading the way.
The Saints nearest challenger was West Gambier this year and the side’s big rise was fronted by shooters Lisa McGregor and Sarah Ritter and centre Tara Bryant.
Brianna Walters and Mel Renko were key players in North Gambier’s finals push, while South Gambier fell just short, but the likes of Alyssa Duncan and Lara Munro rubbed shoulders with the best.
With Scarlett Jarrad suffering a season-ending injury, a young Casterton Sandford team had to fight for the scraps and names such as Caeleigh Humphries and Madalene Cleary did their reputations no harm.
The senior presentations will kick off at 1pm at the South Gambier Football Netball Club.
