{"id":104614,"date":"2024-09-24T21:13:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T11:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=104614"},"modified":"2024-09-24T21:54:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T11:54:00","slug":"best-and-fairest-gong-shared-for-second-time-in-gnl-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/sport\/best-and-fairest-gong-shared-for-second-time-in-gnl-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Best and fairest gong shared for second time in GNL history"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Colac midcourter Eliza Cahill and South Barwon shooter Ellen Doyle were named the two best performing players in 2024 by AFL Barwon\u2019s umpires t this evening (Tuesday, September 24), finishing the season with 20 votes each, two votes ahead of Geelong West\u2019s Aleisha McDonald.<\/p>\n

The only other year the A Grade medal has been shared was 2021, when St Joseph\u2019s Tori Honner won it alongside Bell Park\u2019s Kaitlyn Sheringham.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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Geelong West shooter Aleisha McDonald had a terrific year, finishing third in votes for this year’s best and fairest. Photo: PETER MARSHALL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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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).<\/p>\n

Doyle finished second in last year\u2019s count behind St Joseph\u2019s Emma Buwalda but this year adds a second A Grade best and fairest medal next to her 2022 win.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

Cahill is the fourth woman to receive the A Grade medal in Colac\u2019s history, following wins in 2011 (Shelley Scott), 2002 (Hope Carmody) and 2001 (Stacey Carson).<\/p>\n

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St Joseph’s Elli Leydin finished inside the top five of the count. Photo: PETER MARSHALL<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Doyle was already one of two South Barwon medal winners before tonight, after she added to Sascha Veldhuis\u2019 2003 win in 2022.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Team of the Year featured four representatives from minor premiers and grand finallists St Joseph\u2019s, excluding first-year Joeys coach Riley Richardson.<\/p>\n

Fellow grand finalists Newtown & Chilwell was represented by returned midcourter Vanessa Augustini, South Barwon\u2019s Ellen Doyle and Olivia Cameron filled the goal circle with Colac\u2019s Bec Winch.<\/p>\n

See the full Team of the Year below:<\/p>\n

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Other best and fairest medal recipients included Colac\u2019s Jessie Lang (B Grade), Leopold\u2019s Kirsty Fagan (C Grade), St Mary\u2019s Ebony Halliwell (D Grade) and Bell Park\u2019s Ella Johns (E Grade).<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the top 10 vote getters from tonight:<\/p>\n