Best and fairest gong shared for second time in GNL history

FOR the second time in Geelong Netball League (GNL) history, the A Grade best and fairest medal will be share among two players.

Colac midcourter Eliza Cahill and South Barwon shooter Ellen Doyle were named the two best performing players in 2024 by AFL Barwon’s umpires t this evening (Tuesday, September 24), finishing the season with 20 votes each, two votes ahead of Geelong West’s Aleisha McDonald.

The only other year the A Grade medal has been shared was 2021, when St Joseph’s Tori Honner won it alongside Bell Park’s Kaitlyn Sheringham.

Cahill secured votes in Round 1 (three votes), Round 3 (three votes), Round 6 (three votes), Round 7 (three votes), Round 9 (three votes), Round 11 (two votes) and Round 15 (three votes).

Doyle polled in Round 2 (two votes), Round 3 (two votes), Round 4 (two votes), Round 6 (two votes), Round 12 (two votes), Round 13 (three votes), Round 15 (three votes), Round 17 (two votes) and Round 18 (two votes).

Doyle finished second in last year’s count behind St Joseph’s Emma Buwalda but this year adds a second A Grade best and fairest medal next to her 2022 win.

She becomes just the fourth person to win multiple best and fairests, joining Zanna Woods (2018, 2017, 2016), Tori Honner (2021 and 2016) and Renee Smith (2010 and 2006).

Cahill is the fourth woman to receive the A Grade medal in Colac’s history, following wins in 2011 (Shelley Scott), 2002 (Hope Carmody) and 2001 (Stacey Carson).

Doyle was already one of two South Barwon medal winners before tonight, after she added to Sascha Veldhuis’ 2003 win in 2022.

The 2024 Team of the Year featured four representatives from minor premiers and grand finallists St Joseph’s, excluding first-year Joeys coach Riley Richardson.

Fellow grand finalists Newtown & Chilwell was represented by returned midcourter Vanessa Augustini, South Barwon’s Ellen Doyle and Olivia Cameron filled the goal circle with Colac’s Bec Winch.

See the full Team of the Year below:

Other best and fairest medal recipients included Colac’s Jessie Lang (B Grade), Leopold’s Kirsty Fagan (C Grade), St Mary’s Ebony Halliwell (D Grade) and Bell Park’s Ella Johns (E Grade).

Here’s the top 10 vote getters from tonight:

• Eliza Cahill (Colac) – 20 votes
• Ellen Doyle (South Barwon) – 20 votes
• Aleisha McDonald (Geelong West) – 18 votes
• Elli Leydin (St Joseph’s) – 17 votes
• Ruby Pekin-Schlicht (Newtown & Chilwell) – 17 votes
• Karina Martin (Geelong West) – 16 votes
• Tori Honner (St Joseph’s) – 16 votes
• Eloise Maddox (South Barwon) – 15 vtes
• Julia Woolley (Newtown & Chilwell) – 15 votes
• Esther Kidmas (Grovedale) – 14 votes