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Vol. 20 No. 12
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
BEST AND FAIREST: Toohey Medallist Billy Hayes and Hatcher Medallist Emma Koschitzke celebrate their stellar Wimmera Football League and Wimmera Netball Association seasons. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Tiger, Eagle shine N
BY DEAN LAWSON
hill on-ball star Billy Hayes remained undecided on Monday night whether he would play in Wimmera Football League next year despite winning the competition’s most prestigious individual award.
Hayes, 23, who clinched the P. J. Toohey Medal with 18 votes, said he adored the Tigers, but travelling from South Australia to play each week had been taxing. “I only played seven games last year so I stayed on,” he said. “Nhill is such a great club but trav-
elling has been difficult. I thought I would poll alright – I only missed one game with injury this year, which was a welcome change.” Hayes joined in celebrations at Horsham’s Lutheran school hall, with Warracknabeal centre-wing attack Emma Koschitzke, 29, who had earlier clinched Wimmera Netball Association’s Hatcher Medal. Koschitzke, who grew up playing netball with older sister and threetime Hatcher medallist Sarah Spicer at Warracknabeal, won with 25 votes ahead of Dimboola’s Jodie Hayes, Dimboola, 24, and Stefanie Cooper,
Minyip-Murtoa, 23. Next in line were Horsham’s Emma Buwalda, 22, who also snared an under-21 player of the year award, Abbie Avery, Horsham, 19, and Maggie Caris, Horsham Saints and Kirby Knight, both finished with 18. Koschitzke said the result took her completely by surprise and was overwhelming. “It’s been a great competition this year and the culture we are building at our club is getting better and better,” she said. Hayes, an industrial electrician who rose through the football ranks at
Bordertown before joining SANFL club Glenelg, where he played 12 senior games, joined Nhill with his brother Matty and friend Tom Whelan last year. His parents Adrian and Tina travelled from Bordertown to join the Nhill table at the count. His win by a vote from last year’s winner Sam Clyne reflected an outstanding individual season considering Nhill won only three games for the year. He also collected a champion player award, based on a combination of club and opposition votes and a star player
award on votes from opposition clubs. The count was close and involved a talented crop of players who left an impression on a relatively even and hard-fought season. Another previous winner Kieran Delahunty, from Minyip-Murtoa, was third, only two votes off the pace, and Horsham’s Tyler Blake and Warrack Eagles coach Ryan McKenzie were next with 14 votes. Horsham assistant coach Deek Roberts polled 13 votes ahead of Minyip-Murtoa coach Damian Cameron, 12. Other awards, pages 50, 51
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Wednesday, September 20, 2017