Grovedale winger takes best and fairest

GROVEDALE’S Alana Tully has stormed home at last night’s senior women’s football awards night to claim female football’s top individual honour in the region.

Tully secured 20 votes during Tuesday’s vote count to edge out Danielle Gaylard (Geelong Amateur) and Tahley Houghton (St Mary’s) for the Division 1 best and fairest award, who both finished the night with 15 votes apiece.

Sisters Lucy and Cheryl De Groot (Geelong Amateur) polled 13 and 12 votes respectively to complete the top five.

Drysdale’s Tara Smith convincingly earned the league best and fairest award for Division 2, amassing a nine-vote win over fellow Hawk Caitlin Picket and Torquay Tiger Emogen Johnson.

A three-way tie between Belle-Murphy-Bowen (Newtown & Chilwell), Jerusha Devarakonda (St Joseph’s) and Liesl Foote (Drysdale) decided fourth place in the standings.

Hardware also found its way to South Barwon with Maggie Cauduillo acquiring the top-gong in Division 3.

Caudullo collected 18 votes ahead of Faith Qoon (North Geelong) on 16 votes and Phoebe Lingam’s 15 votes (Anglesea).

Barwon Heads’ Grace Synnott was named AFL Barwon Women’s Rookie of the Year.

Geelong Amateur’s Tom Cashin was selected as the coach of the AFL Barwon Women’s Team of the Year following his stellar season at the Wammos’ helm.

Bianca Clever (St Mary’s), Emily Koroneos (St Mary’s), Brooke Wells (Newtown & Chilwell), Kelsey Houghton (St Mary’s), Cheryl De Groot (Geelong Amateur) and Sally Riley (Geelong Amateur) made up the side’s backline.

Up front was Laura Taylor (Newtown & Chilwell), Jamilla Cranny (Geelong West Giants), Kate Duff (Barwon Heads), Tahley Houghton (St Mary’s), Bec Goring (Newtown & Chilwell) and Emily Worpel (Grovedale).

In the midfield, Sophie O’Dea (Geelong West) was placed in the centre

with Alana Tully (Grovedale) and Bella Hill (Grovedale) on either wing, while Danielle Gaylard (Geelong Amateur), Cassie Blakeway (Newtown & Chilwell) and Lucy De Groot (Geelong Amateur) were named followers.

Roseanna Cox (St Mary’s), Melanie McNamara (Geelong Amateur), Prue Harvey (Barwon Heads) and Taylah Hassett (Grovedale) made selection to the interchange.