Margaret Webb Medal shared in enthralling 2023 count

THE Geelong & District Netball League’s Margaret Webb Medal will be shared this year, with Werribee Centrals’ defender Amanda O’Malley and Thomson goaler Emma Witham jointly awarded the league’s highest individual honour in an enthralling count at Buckley’s Entertainment Centre.

It is the debut win for the players with both O’Malley and Witham having secured runner-up finishes in previous years.

O’Malley was edged out by Thomson’s Errin Lang by one vote in 2018, while Witham secured a runner-up finish in 2022 two votes behind Winchelsea defender Gemma Stavenhuiter.

Both players concluded the 2023 season on 32 votes, while Stavenuiter was runner-up on 30 votes.

Winchelsea’s Katrina Filice was named B Grade’s best and fairest amassing 34 votes, Corio’s Jordyn Fairchild amassed a whopping 47 votes in C Grade to earn best and fairest honours, while fellow Devil Zoe McKeegan compiled 40 votes to be named D Grade’s top performer.

Werribee Centrals’ Alual Garang and North Geelong’s Brodie Clingan were judged the best and fairest in the Under 19s with 18 votes each.

The GDNL’s highest goal scorers for each competitions included A Grade’s Melody Philpott (Winchelsea – 739 goals), B Grade’s Katrina Filice (Winchelsea – 473 goals), C Grade’s Jordyn Fairchild (Corio – 742 goals), and D Grade’s Naomi Maaka (Corio – 600 goals).

Winchelsea and East Geelong dominated the Team of the Season with three players each making the squad, including Blues playing-coach Casey Carroll named the side’s coach in 2023.

Blues shooter Melody Philpott and Thomson’s Emma Witham made up the scoring pair in the side, while Belmont’s Angelique Ross was named a reserve.

Carroll joined East Geelong’s Alanna Cottrill and Claudia Cook in the middle third, with Corio’s Molly Gribble taking the reserves spot.

Winchelsea’s Gemma Stavenuiter and East Geelong’s Stephanie Boyce were named the side’s starting defenders, with Amanda O’Malley named captain and the defence’s reserve.

The GDNL Rookie of the Year and recipient of the Melissa Bragg Award was awarded to East Geelong’s Sylvie Jarvis.