Tight race tipped for Saints awards

IT’S likely to be a closely fought race for several of Heathcote Football Netball Club’s senior footy and netball awards for the 2023 season.

The Saints will celebrate the outstanding individual performers at this Friday night’s best and fairest vote count at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.

Among the leading contenders for the senior footy champion player award will be on-ballers Liam Jacques and Braden Padmore.

Both played crucial roles in the Saints’ run to the grand final where they were runner-up to Mount Pleasant.

Jacques marked his return to Heathcote by winning the Sam Cheatley Medal as HDFNL fairest and best, and Padmore was in third place.

Other players who could poll highly are full-forward Corey Grindlay, captain Codie Price, key defender Bill Direen, and Jesse Davies.

On the netball court, co-coaches Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes were outstanding in the club’s run to the A Grade finals series.

Other key contributors included Georgia Bolton, Annalyse Carroll and goalkeeper Jennifer Van Neutegem.

The night includes vote counts for Reserves football, A Reserve, B Grade and B Reserve netball.

Doors open at 6pm and the first vote count will be at 7pm.

The Saints’ awards night for the Under 18s football, the 17, 15 and 13 & Under netball will be held on Saturday, October 14 from 6pm.

A great season for the under-18 footy included contesting the first semi-final and Thomas Johnson being joint winner of the David Roulston Medal as league fairest and best.

The Saints also played in the 17 & Under and 13 & Under netball finals.