By Ryan Blackmore, Williamstown Media
Lucas Impey – Darley Football Netball Club (Ballarat Football Netball League)
Lucas Impey capped off a stellar year with Darley, helping the side secure the McDonald’s Ballarat Seniors premiership with a 79–45 win over Sunbury. Across three finals, Impey averaged 15 disposals, 68 hitouts, 7 tackles and 140 ranking points, underlining his dominance in the ruck. He was recognised as one of the best players on the ground in both the qualifying final and grand final. The victory crowned a remarkable season for Darley, who dropped just one game all year.
Jovan Petric – Keilor Football Club (EDFL Premier Division)
After an interrupted home-and-away season where he only managed two games due to VFL selection and injury, Jovan Petric played an important role through Keilor’s finals campaign. The ladder leaders looked primed for the flag after dropping just one game all season, but their run ended with a 20-point grand final loss to Strathmore. Petric featured in all three finals, averaging 10 disposals and 4.5 marks. He added valuable forward impact, kicking four goals across the series and averaged 70 ranking points.
Hamish Morrison – Airport West Football Club (EDFL Premier Division)
Hamish Morrison was a standout across Airport West’s finals campaign, which ended with a preliminary final loss to Keilor. After finishing 5th on the ladder, Airport West impressed with a one-point semi-final win over Aberfeldie before bowing out. Morrison was influential throughout, named among the best in both the elimination and preliminary finals. He averaged 28 disposals, 10 rebound 50s, 5 marks and 107 ranking points, highlighted by a season-best 40 touches in the prelim. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to carry his side through.
Zara Guss – St Kevin’s Old Boys Football Club – Senior Women’s (VAFA Premier Women’s)
After eight games with Williamstown’s VFLW side, Zara Guss returned to St Kevin’s OB for the final two home-and-away matches and their finals campaign. St Kevin’s staged a thrilling comeback in the semi-final, kicking four last-quarter goals to defeat Kew by eight points. Unfortunately, St Kevin’s fell just six points short against Caulfield in the prelim. Guss impressed in both matches, receiving best player acknowledgements in each and hitting the scoreboard with a goal in the preliminary final.
Brittney Gray – Oak Park Football Club (EDFL Women’s Premier Division)
Brittney Gray split her season between Williamstown’s VFLW side, where she played seven matches, and her local club Oak Park, where she added nine more. Oak Park finished second on the ladder and advanced straight to the grand final after a 16-point qualifying final win over Aberfeldie, with Gray named among the best players on the ground. In the decider, Oak Park battled hard but ultimately fell just short, going down to Hillside by five points in a heartbreaking finish.
Lori Stepnell – Redan Football Netball Club (BFLW Women)
Lori Stepnell spent most of the season with her local club Redan, while also featuring in one VFLW game for Williamstown. Redan finished on top of the ladder and advanced straight to the grand final after Aberfeldie forfeited their qualifying final, leaving the side without a finals hit-out. After nearly a month without a game, Redan faced Darley in the decider but struggled for accuracy, kicking 2.11 in a 21-point loss. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise strong season.
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