Football
9 September, 2025
Rosier and Fox take out Best and Fairest at HDFNL awards night
Pimpinio’s Matt Rosier and Edenhope Apsley’s Lavinia Fox claimed top honours at the Horsham District Football Netball League senior vote count and awards night yesterday at Coughlin Park.
Rosier, newly appointed as co-coach for Pimpinio’s 2026 senior side, took out the Dellar Medal for the seniors football best and fairest player, polling 18 votes from 14 games played.
The Pimpinio midfielder just beat out Noradjuha Quantong ruckman Jack Vague, who registered 17 votes.
Harrow Balmoral player-coach Jai Thompson accumulated 27 votes across 14 games this season, but was deemed ineligible after receiving a reprimand for an incident in round one.
Rosier was proud to be deemed the best opposition player in the league, acknowledging mixed feelings at winning best and fairest considering Thompson’s higher vote tally.
“Like I said in the speech, a little bit odd to win,” Rosier said.
“Jai had such a fantastic year, probably a little bit stiff to get rubbed out and miss out.
“But nabbing the best opposition player felt pretty nice. It’s a bit of a tip of the cap to know the opposition coaches saw I had an alright year.”
While proud of his individual accolades, Rosier was quick to credit the growth of the team in recent years, as well as the club winning the 2025 club championship.
“Guy (Smith) has done a fantastic job the last couple of years, and collectively, as a group, we’re learning, experiencing some necessary hardships, and taking steps every year,” Rosier said.
“To win the club championship was probably the highlight of the night for me.
“We’re building really nicely, and as a club, we’re starting to really develop and get a lot of teams into finals, so just a positive night for the club."
Fox took out the Michelle Mibus Medal for A grade netball’s best and fairest player, polling 29 votes in 18 games played.
Runner-up was Taylors Lake’s Kayla Kelm, whose 24 votes just edged out Noradjuha Quantong’s Taylor Shelley, who compiled 23.
Fox, player-coach for her Saints team, was humbled at achieving the highest honour, saying her teammates were equally deserving of such an award.
“It was a bit of surprise, but just very appreciative to be acknowledged for the season,” Fox said.
“I probably had my eye on a few other names throughout the league that I thought had a good season across different teams, but I think it was very competitive across the board.
“I wasn't really too sure leading into those last final rounds where it would go, and especially with our team, we've got plenty of talent with multiple girls who were polling throughout the rounds.
“So I think I'm grateful to be on the receiving end of that and to have got an award tonight, but there are plenty of girls in our team who were equally as deserving as well.”
Other awards in senior football included Kaniva Leeor United’s Jacob Eats winning leading goal kicker in seniors, while Patrick Lindsey from Taylors Lake was awarded the best under 21 player award.
In A grade netball, Rupanyup’s Zanaiya Bergen took out leading goal shooter, teammate Lucy Bussenschutt was voted best under 21 player, while Natimuk United’s Danielle Hanson took out the player’s player award.
In reserves football, Edenhope Apsley’s Cameron Domaschenz took out best and fairest, while Pimpinio’s Dylan Baker was runner up, and Noradjuha Quantong teammates Tory Chapple and Dylan Bushby were both awarded leading goal kicker in reserves.
In B grade netball, Natimuk United’s Jo Taylor comfortably took out the best and fairest award, with Rupanyup’s Kayla Weidemann awarded runner-up. Natimuk’s Codi-Rae Fisher took out the leading goal shooter award.
Edenhope Apsley’s Abby Hepburn and Noradjuha Quantong’s Sophie Reid shared best and fairest honours in C grade netball, while Pimpinio’s Lana Ellis was awarded runner up and leading goal shooter
In C reserve netball, Laharum’s Charli Watts was both best and fairest and leading goal shooter, while Noradjuha Quantong’s Emma Criddle was runner up in the best and fairest count.
Pimpinio won the league's club championship for 2025.
