Chris Febvre • December 10, 2021
OKFNL 2021 Season Awards
OKFNL 2021 Season Awards
Well, we finally got there. With 2021 throwing even more hurdles at us than 2020 in some regards, the Ovens and King FNL Board was pleased to see the 2021 season, while belatedly, celebrated.
The evening began with the presentation of the club champions for 2021 which went to Milawa FNC who enjoyed a very successful season, despite not getting any finals played.
The Board in 2021 decided to acknowledge the Minor Premiers for 2021 as a way to officially wrap up the season with Moyhu FNC taking home the Under 15s and C Grade Minor Premiers trophies, while Milawa FNC secured the trophies for B Reserve, B Grade and A Grade, as well as both the senior football and reserves football grade awards.
The night continued with four netball umpires which were badged during the year presented with their whistles in: Amber Finger, Kerri Michelini, Candy Weldon and Sarah Holmes-Brown.
In a change-up to years gone by, and without a Grand Final breakfast to acknowledge this season’s Life Members, the Life Members for 2021 were presented with their badges at the presentation night. Kevin Naish of Greta FNC, Les Goonan of North Wangaratta FNC, and Peter Ricardi of Bright FNC, along with currently serving OKFNL Board Members Stuart Hutchinson and Chairperson Peter Byrne.
Following these awards, it was time to move on to the individual player awards for season 2021:
NETBALL
Under 15s:
Most Valuable Player: Lily Boman, North Wangaratta FNC
Leading goal scorer: Kyia Wohlers, Moyhu FNC
Under 15s Best and Fairest: Kyia Wohlers, Moyhu FNC
Best and Fairest runner up: Ellie Miller, Moyhu FNC
It was a great year for Moyhu FNC’s junior grades, capped off with Kyia Wohlers excelling and taking home the top award, with runner up and friend Ellie Miller close by.
C grade: Most Valuable Player: Ebony Newton, Whorouly FNC
Leading goal scorer: Ebony Newton, Whorouly FNC
Flo Egan Medal winner: Tayha Wohlers, Moyhu FNC
Flo Egan Medal runner up: Charlotte Roberts, King Valley FNC
Moyhu FNC’s Tayha Wohlers replicated her sister’s feat from the lower grade to take out the win, narrowly ahead of King Valley’s Charlotte Roberts. Whorouly’s Ebony Newton was the MVP and the leading goal scorer in a promising start to her OKFNL netball career.
B Reserve: Most Valuable Player: Kate Armstrong, Bright FNC
Leading goal scorer: Kate Armstrong, Bright FNC
B Reserve Best and Fairest winner: Ellie Laffy, Milawa FNC
B Reserve Best and Fairest runner up: Jenna McIntyre, Milawa FNC
Milawa defenders Ellie Laffy and Jenna McIntyre dominated the defensive end of the court and capped off their dominance with a one-two finish in the B Reserve Medal count. Bright’s Kate Armstrong proved too strong around goals to cap off a great year in the shooting circle.
B Grade: Most Valuable Player: Jenna Brunner, Goorambat FNC and Hayley Cunningham, North Wangaratta FNC
Leading goal scorer: Sally Burgess, Benalla All Blacks FNC
Kath Dobson Medal, winner: Jessie Ellis, Benalla All Blacks FNC
Kath Dobson Medal, runner up: Sarah Mathews-Vincent, Milawa FNC
B Grade saw dual MVP’s in Jenna Brunner and Hayley Cunningham, while Benalla’s resurgence saw Sally Burgess take out the goal scoring and Jessie Ellis wrap up the Kath Dobson Medal in her first year of senior netball.
A Grade: WAW Credit Union Most Valuable Player: Ebony Allen, Whorouly FNC and Casey Brown, North Wangaratta FNC
Leading goal scorer: Sarah Bond, Tarrawingee FNC
Fay Morgan Medal, winner: Kyra Hunt, Milawa FNC
Fay Morgan Medal, runner up: Maddie Canning, Tarrawingee FNC
A grade saw Kyra Hunt take out her second Fay Morgan Medal, overtaking a fast starting Maddie Canning of Tarrawingee. MVP honours were again shared between Ebony Allen and Casey Brown, while Tarrawingee shooter Sarah Bond dominated in the circle for the Bulldogs in 2021.
FOOTBALL
Reserves: Most Valuable Player: Jamie Berry, North Wangaratta FNC, Damiun Cassidy, Greta FNC and Jack Stevenson, Milawa FNC
Leading Goal Kicker: Gene Marek, Whorouly FNC
Ross Schutt Medal, winner: Daniel Hogarth, Tarrawingee FNC
Ross Schutt Medal, runner up: Jack Stevenson, Milawa FNC
Tarrawingee’s Daniel Hogarth dominated for the Bulldogs all season and was a worthy winner of the Ross Schutt Medal, while Jack Stevenson of Milawa was runner up and one of three players named MVP for the reserves grade in 2021.
Seniors: Most Valuable Player: Ben Clarke, Milawa FNC
Leading Goal Kicker: Daniel Cassidy, Greta FNC
Clyde Baker Medal, winner: Sean Campitelli, Bonnie Doon FNC and Paul Harrison, Bright FNC
Clyde Baker Medal, runner up: Ben Clarke, Milawa FNC and Jackson Hourigan, Benalla All Blacks FNC
In a thrilling count, which saw Sean Campitelli of Bonnie Doon surge out to a comfortable lead early in the season, Bright FNC’s coach Paul Harrison dragged him back in the last four games of the season to see two winners crowned Clyde Baker Medallists in 2021.
2024 saw the launch of the AFL North East Border Volunteer Recognition Program, proudly supported by one of our long standing partners, APCO! The program recognised 20 volunteers across the region each week throughout the footy season and will do the same once again in 2025. The categories include - Club Volunteer Umpire/Club Umpire Junior/Youth Coach Auskick Coordinator/Volunteer Clubs are welcome to nominate one of their hard working volunteers throughout the year, and if they are selected they will receive a $50 APCO voucher to use in an APCO store near you. Nominations can be submitted by clicking on the following link - VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION NOMINATION FORM
Two local football netball clubs are set to receive a funding boost to upgrade their lighting infrastructure through the Country Football Netball funding program! The Milawa Football Netball Club who compete in the Ovens & King FNL and Barnawartha Football Netball Club competing in the Tallangatta & District Football League will both receive funding through the Country Football Netball Program which through a partnership between the Victorian Government, AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria aims to support county football and netball clubs infrastructure improvements and developments. A total of 7 clubs across Victoria received funding in this round, and with two clubs successful in the North East it is a great outcome for football in the region and both clubs should be congratulated for the work they have put in to be successful! We look forward to seeing these projects come to life! For more information on the program and other success applicants please click here - https://play.afl/victoria/news/funding-boost-country-football-facilities?fbclid=IwY2xjawIx1hdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYxTMXDPhmQhLOMmUjo6YAkpXU-dFqKLUzVdYIegdiFK2xGe-yf-PgwBiA_aem_EdgEJ5XDtkeJH8VGU35rfA
2025 saw AFLNEB host there now annual Club Development Day which had a focus on upskilling those who are hands on during game days throughout the season! With over 45 attendees participating in three dynamic workshops - - Club Umpire Session, - Coaching Masterclass Session, and - Building Stronger Clubs Workshop - Our Community Club Leaders and dedicated Volunteers are now equipped with the resources and skills to tackle the upcoming season! Additionally, more than 25 Sports Trainers benefited from the Level 1 Sports Trainer Course, enhancing their expertise and readiness. Massive thank you to La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga for hosting us at their amazing campus! We wish all the clubs the best for the upcoming season and look forward to further supporting them with additional sessions throughout the year!
