By David Nagel
Will an undefeated season guarantee a league medal for a star-studded Inverloch-Kongwak…or will a surprise winner be crowned when the WGFNC A Grade best and fairest is awarded at Warragul Greyhounds on Monday night?
The grand-final bound Sea Eagles have taken all before them this season – winning 18 games straight during home-and-way matches – with a dominant midcourt, and quality bookends at either end of the court, proving too hot to handle for all opposition this year.
They’re a great team the Sea Eagles…but which individuals will stand up on presentation night this year.
The obvious place to start is with star defender Renee Pilkington who, along with Phillip Island football coach Cam Pedersen, is looking to become the first player to win three league medals since the WGFNC began in 2017.
Pilkington first won the award in 2019, then backed up that initial success with a one-vote victory over Bunyip’s Ally Johnson last year.
But the reigning champion will have her hands full defending her crown, and the main competition may come from within.
Sea Eagles’ midcourter Lanni Pryor has had a sensational year, backing up her brilliant 2022 that saw her finish third behind Pilkington and Johnson.
Pryor is a dynamic player, a real eye-catcher, and it would be no surprise to see her take the number-one ranking this year.
Kelsey Buxton is another Sea Eagles that has dominated through the midcourt…and will no doubt take away votes from Pilkington and Pryor.
It’s anyone’s guess as to which of the three teammates will finish top of the class from the Inverloch-Kongwak side this year.
Tooradin-Dalmore is another club to have had a massive 2023, finishing second behind the Sea Eagles on the ladder.
Goaler Alex Maher is a star of the competition and finished equal-fifth in the award last year.
Maher and defender Ebony Mason would appear to be the Seagulls two best hopes of claiming the club’s first medal.
Mason lost her defensive partner Ebony Dolan during the year, but has taken up the slack with typical endeavour.
Alana McRae from Dalyston won the league medal in a premiership year in 2018 and could once again spearhead her club’s chances.
McRae has been a dynamo at the defensive end of the court, while teammate Chloe Bramley has had another impressive season after finishing fourth in 2022.
A Magpies’ win would not surprise.
From Nar Nar Goon, Meaghan Winter would appear to be the best chance with the star wing attack backing up her top-10 finish from last year with another class-filled campaign.
Winter is like a fine bottle of wine – getting better with age – and a win would elevate her already glorious career to vintage class.
Rounding out this year’s finalists are Kooweerup and Kilcunda-Bass…who both possess some star quality on their rosters.
The Demons have improved considerably this season, and in no small part to the play of Talia Charalambides, Ash Murphy and coach Kate Sidebottom.
Charalambides is an athletic player who runs around the court with an air of flamboyancy and she may poll better than expected.
Kilcunda-Bass has been well-served by the two Caitlins – Egan and Stephens – in defence, and they would appear the two best chances from the Panthers.
The colour orange has been well represented on this night before, with sisters Christie (2017) and Kim Hillberg (2021) taking home top honours for the Korumburra-Bena Giants.
The Giants haven’t been as successful as recent seasons, with their defence under more pressure, which may give Gemma Dixon her chance to shine.
Dixon has been a regular vote-getter in this award before and finished equal seventh last year.
She is sure to poll well again, with Ash Cuff another Giant that could be in contention.
Garfield and Phillip Island had solid years, and Chloe Bluhm and Christie Edwards could be the best from those clubs respectively.
Bluhm has played well through the midcourt, while Edwards continues to strut her best stuff in goal attack.
And finding a winner from Bunyip, Cora Lynn and Warragul Industrials could be harder to pick than a broken nose.
All three teams have struggled, with Keely Wright (Bunyip), Gemma Stacey (Cora Lynn) and Shanara Notman (Warragul Industrials) likely to take bragging rights at their clubs.
OUR TIP
While Renee Pilkington will likely start a warm favourite, we’re tipping her teammate Lanni Pryor to claim her first WGFNC A Grade league medal this year. Pryor stands out when watching the Sea Eagles play, and that’s such an achievement in such an accomplished line up.
We’ll go for Pilkington to finish second, with Ash Murphy from Kooweerup to make up the top three. Other chances for winning this year’s award go to Meaghan Winter (Nar Nar Goon), Gemma Dixon (Korumburra-Bena) and Alex Maher (Tooradin-Dalmore).
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2017 Christie Hillberg Korumburra-Bena
2018 Alana McRae Dalyston
2019 Renee Pilkington Inverloch-Kongwak
2021 Kimberley Hillberg Korumburra-Bena
2022 Renee Pilkington Inverloch-Kongwak
