Haddow, Richards top Bloods in ’25

CLASSY midfielder Brody Haddow and goal shooter Gabe Richards have taken out South Bendigo’s top individual awards for the BFNL season 2025.

Haddow – third in this year’s Michelsen Medal count behind the winner Billy Evans (Eaglehawk) and runner-up Lachlan Tardrew (Sandhurst) – was a deserving winner of the Bloods’ senior best and fairest award.

His stellar performances in the midfield were a key to the Bloods’ resurgence as a semi-finalist, following a seventh-place finish and just four wins in 2024.

Ruckman Callum Crisp underlined his importance to the Bloods as the runner-up, while Tom Brereton was named most consistent.

Alex Davis won most determined and Hayden Geddes claimed the most improved award.

In a season in which South Bendigo players filled the top three positions on the league’s leading goalkicker table, Brock Harvey emerged as the leader.

Josh Nitschke won the best club person award.

In A-grade netball, two of the Bloods’ high-profile recruits finished top two, with powerhouse goaler Gabe Richards taking out the best and fairest and midcourter Andrea Wilson the runner-up.

The pair joined the Bloods this season, after playing in a premiership with Heathcote District league club Elmore in 2024, and were instrumental in the club reaching the semi-finals for the first time in over two decades.

It was a big awards night for Richards, who also claimed the players’ player and best in finals awards, and was the recipient of the Ted Mills Anzac Day medal for a best on court performance against Eaglehawk.

Alan Ellis and Gary Bath were awarded life memberships.