Saints centre claims A-grade netball award

GUN centre Brooke Bolton capped a superb A-grade netball season as she was declared fairest and best for Heathcote Football Netball Club’s top team for the 2024 season.

The club’s vote count and presentation night was held last Friday in the Pigeon Park social rooms at Barrack Reserve.

Co-coach of the Saints with Kelsey Hayes who was sidelined after rupturing an ACL, Bolton played a crucial role in the club making consecutive A-grade finals appearances in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DNFL action.

Although disappointed by a 56-43 loss to Leitchville Gunbower in the elimination final, Heathcote showed it’s on track to be challenging for finals in 2025.

Bolton’s play also caught the umpires’ attention as she polled 24 votes to claim the Esther Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best for a third time.

Her latest medal success followed the back-to-back wins of 2021 and 2022, and runner-up last season.

Although Bolton is stepping down from coaching duties, she will be on court for the Saints again.

Among the highlights of the night was the presentation of the Georgia Edsall-French Memorial Award to Zara Bibby.