Football
2 September, 2024
HDFNL Junior best and fairests crowned
On Monday, August 26, the Horsham District Football Netball League held their junior best and fairest count.
Harrow Balmoral's Tara McIntyre won the 17 and under netball on 30 votes ahead of Taylors Lake's Lilly Weir on 27.
McIntyre won the league's goal shooting with 324 goals in 15 games. What is more impressive, is that she won by 84 goals over another up-and-coming talent, Ada Binney from Pimpinio.
It was McIntyre's first best and fairest in any capacity, and for it to be a league one was very special for the 17-year-old.
"It was very exciting and nice to know all my hard work and the team's hard work paid off, so winning was very special," McIntyre said.
When asked what has improved her netball this year, McIntyre highlighted confidence.
"My confidence has improved, especially in A-grade, as it's the next level up, and you have to take the hits, do all the work yourself, and make a name for yourself," McIntyre said.
"I feel that I have become mentally stronger, and I just want to keep improving my netball skills, leadership and attitude."
Harrow Balmoral lost their semi-final on Saturday at Edenhope Football Ground to Kalkee and will now face Pimpinio for a place in the Grand Final against Kalkee.
Pimpinio's Austin Simpson was the clear winner in the under-17 football competition, polling 31 votes, with Rupanyup's Riley Downer second on 23.
Simpson, playing a variety of positions, from centre half back, back flank, midfield and ruck when required, kicked 18 goals in 14 games and was named among the best players on 14 occasions.
This was his first league best and fairest, having won two previously for Pimpinio. Simpson was thrilled with the win and talked about his improvements and where he would like his footy to take him.
"It's a pretty good achievement this year, as anyone in our team could have won it, as we have a strong side," Simpson said.
"I have improved on my stoppage ability and bringing team-mates into the game, and I hope my footy can take me very far as I would love to play high-level football."
Pimpinio won their way into the Grand Final, defeating Natimuk by 52 points on Saturday at Edenhope Football Ground. They will now aim for their third consecutive premiership, in which Simpson will play a vital role.
In the under-14 football, Laharum ruckman Chase Whelan won a thriller by two votes. Whelan scored 37 votes, with Kalkee's Jye Dolan runner-up on 35.
Whelan plays in the ruck but is happy to play wherever the team needs him. He enjoys playing with teammates and seeing their improvements.
He said he would love a premiership and thanked his dad and also his coach, Dale Dridan.
"I am happy with the award, but it's not my main goal as I'd love to be able to play in a premiership," Whelan said.
"I would like to thank my dad and my coach, Dale Dridan, for helping me improve as a footballer and a good person.
Laharum club president Hamish Roberts said Whelan is a great club person.
"The best thing about him is that he's a great teammate, and he makes sure to bring his teammates into the game," Roberts said.
"He is also just a great kid, well-mannered and more than happy to help around the club where needed."
Rupanyup's Phoebe Downer was crowned the 15-and-under best and fairest ahead of Pimpinio's Ruby Williams in a count that went down to the wire. Downer won by one vote, polling 30. It reversed last year's result, in which Williams won by a vote ahead of Downer.
Downer can play centre and up forward, bringing a lot of versatility to the team and has been playing primarily in centre this season.
She scored 111 goals in 2024, with a game-high of 26 coming against Noradjuha Quantong in round 17.
Downer's father, Matt, said she was relieved to finally win the league best and fairest after coming runner-up in the last couple of years.
"The biggest thing she has been telling my wife and I is that playing B-grade netball has helped her mature as a netballer," Matt said.
"It has reflected in her junior netball as she has more maturity and doesn't let the emotions get the better of her.
"She has also been invited to the senior best and fairest next week and is the only junior netballer for the club to get invited there, so she is going alright."
Natimuk's Gretel Blake claimed the 13 and under netball best and fairest. She polled 34 votes to win ahead of Kaniva Leeor's Pippa Vivian, who polled 31.
Blake plays predominately goal defence and is one of the best defenders in the league.