Stewart joins elite netball club

GISBORNE mid-court star Maddy Stewart has joined an elite netball club in Bendigo Bank Bendigo Netball League history.

With a tally of 29 votes from this season’s A Grade action, Stewart became the Betty Thompson medallist as league fairest and best for a second time.

The Gisborne champion earned the medal in 2018 and joined the likes of Maryborough’s Carol Sing, Sandhurst’s Kris Greene and Heather Oliver as a dual winner of the award.

Brianna Dalrymple-Monro won the medal when at Sandhurst in 2011, and five seasons later for Strathfieldsaye Storm.

At the end of a closely fought contest for the 2022 award, Stewart’s feat to earn maximum three votes in six matches played a key role in being the number one player.

“I am so shocked to have won this award,” she said. “It’s an amazing competition that has so many talented players.

“I love playing in the Bendigo FNL.

Stewart has played the past 13 years at Gisborne and become an integral part of a team coached by Tarryn Rymer.

“The club is so special,” said Stewart.

Runner-up for the award was Kangaroo Flat’s Chelsea Sartori on 26 votes.

At three rounds to go of calling of cards it was Stewart with 24 votes, Kangaroo Flat’s Ash Ryan at 22, and Sartori on 20, who led.

Two votes in the 16th round and three in the 18th were enough for Stewart to finish three clear of Sartori, as Sandhurst’s Meg Williams finished win 24, was third, and Ryan was fourth on 22.

As Stewart basks in the glory of another medal win, Sartori, Ryan and Williams will take to the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval for Saturday’s clash to decide the 2022 BNL A Grade premiers.