Sport
2 September, 2025
WFNL junior award winners announced
Several junior footballers and netballers were celebrated as the Wimmera Football Netball League hosted its annual junior vote count on Monday at Horsham City Oval.
In the under 17s football, Horsham Saints' Bodey Wilde won best and fairest player, polling 23 votes from his 16 games, while Nhill's Jobe Dickinson was awarded runner up with 20 votes from just nine games.
In the under 17s netball, Lena Marshman was awarded best and fairest with 27 votes, narrowly edging out Dimboola's Emily Taylor, who finished runner up with 26 votes.
Olivia Taylor took out the under 15s netball best and fairest, with the Horsham Saints player accumulating 29 votes. Horsham Demons' Malaya Willmore and Warrack's Piper Knorpp shared the runner-up award with 26 votes each.
In under 14s football, Warrack's Evan George was crowned best and fairest with 32 votes, three votes ahead of Ararat's Ryder Belcher (29 votes).
Horsham's Luella Burke was a clear standout in the under 14s netball vote, polling 34 votes, with Warrack's Fergie Kennedy taking runner up with 25 votes.
Additionally, Horsham Saints' Vernetta Taylor was named junior netball coach of the year, while Minyip Murtoa's Luke Chamberlain was named junior football coach of the year.
The final leaderboard and their respective vote counts for each grade:
Under 17 Football
Best and Fairest: Bodey Wilde (Horsham Saints, 23 votes)
Runner up: Jobe Dickinson (Nhill, 20 votes)
19 votes: Samuel Harrington (Ararat)
18 votes: Jye Wilson-Stevenson (Nhill), Lenny Weir (Southern Mallee Thunder)
15 votes: Declan Paech (Dimboola), Rohan Newson (Stawell)
14 votes: Chaz Smith (Horsham)
13 votes: Rishi Kalluri (Ararat), Zavier Purdue (Horsham)
Under 17 Netball
Best and Fairest: Lena Marshman (Horsham Saints, 27 votes)
Runner up: Emily Taylor (Dimboola, 26 votes)
23 votes: Lauren Clyne (Warrack Eagles)
21 votes: Poppy Toner (Ararat), Maddison Bethune (Saints), Cara Tippet (Saints)
18 votes: Karla Hallam (Horsham), Zarli Knight (Horsham)
17 Votes: Sophie Birch (Stawell)
16 Votes: Lucy Holland (Warrack)
Under 15 Netball
Best and Fairest: Olivia Taylor (Horsham Saints, 29 votes)
Runners up: Malaya Willmore (Horsham) and Piper Knorpp (Warrack), 26 votes
24 votes: Evie Harrington (Ararat)
20 votes: Ryder Thomas (Horsham), Zahli Mellor (Stawell)
17 votes: Rachel Shurdington (Nhill)
15 votes: Isabelle Thomas (Stawell)
14 votes: Ivy Hofmaier (Horsham Saints), Molly Gawith (Minyip Murtoa), Luca Landrigan (SMT)
Under 14 Football
Best and Fairest: Evan George (Warrack, 32 votes)
Runner up: Ryder Belcher (Ararat, 29 votes)
28 votes: Patrick Harrington (Ararat)
27 votes: Dusty Wethers (Stawell)
26 votes: Chavi Sulic (Horsham), Chace Hall (Horsham)
23 votes: Hugh Miller (HS)
18 votes: Hylton Penfold (HS), Lenny Shurdington (N)
Under 13s Netball
Best and Fairest: Luella Burke (Horsham, 34 votes)
Runner up: Fergie Kennedy (Warrack, 25 votes)
24 votes: Henry Dunn (Stawell)
23 votes: Emily Liston (Horsham Saints)
17 votes: Jenna Lockhart (Horsham), Pippa Fisher (SMT), Milla Freeland (Stawell)
15 votes: Harlow Krahe (Warrack Eagles)
14 votes: Ari Strafehl (Ararat)
The senior vote count will take place on Monday, September 15.
