Corio centre makes Margaret Webb Medal history

CORIO now has a Margaret Webb Medallist, with Devils midcourter Molly Gribble securing the league best and fairest for the first time in the club’s history.

Gribble, who arrived at the club in 2023, claimed this year’s Margaret Webb Medal by a single vote, finishing ahead of Belmont hopeful and shooter Angelique Ross in an exhilarating finish to the night.

Polling in 12 games, Gribble had a remarkable Geelong & District Netball League (GDNL) campaign, capped off by a top two finish to the home and away season.

Gribble was named best on court on nine separate occasions in Round 1, Round 5, Round 6, Round 8, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 16 and Round 17.

Gribble would also poll again in Round 2, Round 7 (2) and Round 9 (2) to round out her 31 votes.

Ross, who also received the Hot Shots title with 863 goals on the season, would rally late in the count with nine votes in the final four rounds, but did not poll in Round 18 to either tie or overtake Gribble.

Belmont shooter and Margaret Webb Medal runner-up Angelique Ross.

Bannockburn shooter Ella Wasik finished third in the count with 27 votes.

Since the medal’s inception in 2002, no Corio netballers have claimed the honour.

The closest Devils to win the medal were runners-up Sonia Harris in 2005 and Tammy Bigham in 2003.

Following a superb season under playing-coach Shayna Brown, two Corio representatives were named to the 2024 Team of the Year, with Gribble joined by Jordyn Fairchild.

East Geelong has three representatives with Claudia Cook earning the centre’s bib, defender Stephanie Boyce named goal-keeper and head coach Justine Radford awarded Coach of the Year status. Cook was also named captain of the squad.

Bannockburn goaler Ella Wasik finished the count in third.

Ross has been named goal-shooter for her terrific season, while Anakie’s Eden Mitchell (WA) was her club’s lone representative.

Two Winchelsea Blues were selected with 2022 Margaret Webb medallist Gemma Stavenuiter (GD) and Meg Royal (reserve midcourter) in the side.

Bannockburn, who will play Corio in Sunday’s Semi-Final, also had two members selected. Wasik fills the reserve goaler slot and Rosie Shanahan fills out the bench as the reserve defender.

Other winners on the night included B Grade best and fairest Cody Dixon (North Geelong), C Grade winner Megan James (Thomson), D Grade best and fairest Jess Mapapalangi (Geelong West) and Under 19’s winner Charli Hocking (Werribee Centrals).

Check out this season’s Team of the Year: