Grace and Williamson queen and king of the WFNL

Horsham Saints Ashlee Grace has finally secured the Hatcher Medal as the Wimmera Football Netball League A-grade netball best and fairest following three runner-ups. Tom Williamson has won the Toohey Medal as the senior football best and fairest following a stellar season.

By Chris Graetz

Ashlee Grace finally celebrates a Hatcher medal (left) with team-mate Maddison Bethune who won the under-21.

Grace polled in all but four games and was a runaway winner with 30 votes. Georgie Carberry was runner-up with 24 votes. Maddison Bethune and Steph Thomson tied for third with 22 votes. Bethune was awarded best Under 21 player.

Grace was ecstatic after the win and was surprised she was on nine votes after three rounds.

"It's a pretty good feeling and pretty humbling after the past few years, and it's so good to have the medal," Grace said.

"I was pretty surprised with how quickly I took off, and I didn't even think about it this year after last year as you just go out and play, and it is what it is the situation, and sometimes, if you don't worry about it, it happens. I am very surprised at how well I polled.

"I had a few tears in my eyes, if I am honest, and my mum, Kris, was stoked, and it was good to be able to have her there as well."

"To have Maddison Bethune up there as well is special, and it's a privilege to play with her and see her develop as she will be a great player, and Jorja Clode as well in the team of the year was a great result as well as she is a big junior talent."

Grace is excited heading into this weekend.

"I am so excited about being in another grand final. Dimboola is a great venue, and we have won there twice, and hopefully, we can get a third." Grace said.

"It is always a great game against Horsham and a good spectacle to watch and hopefully it goes our way."

After polling the most votes last year and not winning due to suspension, Ararat coach Tom Williamson won the Toohey medal with 26 votes. Stawell's Tom Eckel was runner-up with 23 votes. Southern Mallee Thunder's Billy Lloyd was third with 19 votes. Horsham's Brody Pope won the best under-21 with 15 votes.

Horsham Saints' Zeena Kelm won the B-grade with 26 votes ahead of Stawell's Jade Cross with 22 votes. Horsham's Casey Rentsch was third with 20 votes.

Horsham Saints' Leah Adams won the C-grade with 35 votes, 11 ahead of Minyip Murtoa's Angie Clark with 24. Stawell's Jessa Enriquez was third with 22 votes.

Horsham's Lorinda Stewart won the C-reserve with 33 votes, 14 ahead of Ashlee Ison with 19. Warrack Eagles Keeta Orszulak was third with 16 votes.

Horsham Saints' Matthew Combe won the reserves football, polling 22 votes. Brodie Mines and Adrianne Lupton were runners-up with 13 votes each.

Trevor Albrecht and Amanda Cole were also named life members of the league. Horsham won the champion club.

The A-grade netball team of the year was also announced.

GS: Jorja Clode (Horsham Saints)
GA: Steph Thomson (Southern Mallee Thunder)
WA: Georgie Carberry (Horsham)
C: Ashlee Grace (Horsham Saints)
WD: Tamika Mentha (Minyip Murtoa)
GD: Maddison Bethune (Horsham Saints)
GK: Lisa Considine (Stawell) - CAPTAIN

INT: Imogen Worthy (Horsham), Ellen Bennett (Nhill), Romi Miller (Horsham)

Coach: Ebonie Salter

The senior football team of the year was also announced and selected by Gavin Morrow and myself, Chris Graetz.

B: Ash Clugston (Dimboola), Jackson Dark (Stawell), Sam Clyne (Horsham Saints)
HB: Liam Nelson (Southern Mallee Thunder), Sam White (Southern Mallee Thunder), Liam Albrecht (Nhill)
C: Jackson Fisher (Southern Mallee Thunder), Tom Williamson (Ararat), Kade Petering (Minyip Murtoa)
HF: Brodie Pope (Horsham), Josh Fowkes (Stawell), Jake McQueen (Nhill)
F: Ryan Kemp (Horsham), Cody Driscoll (Stawell), Tanner Smith (Minyip Murtoa)

FOLL: Kieran Delahunty (Southern Mallee Thunder), Billy Lloyd (Southern Mallee Thunder), Tom Eckel (Stawell) - CAPTAIN

INT: Jake Robinson (Ararat), Andrew Moore (Dimboola), Jack Ganley (Ararat).

Coach: Jake McQueen (Nhill).

More to come.