Top ruckman crowned Heathcote’s best

HIGHLY-prized ruckman James Orr has marked his first season with Heathcote Football Netball Club by winning the Saints’ fairest and best award for the senior footy team.

Recruited to the Saints from Kyneton, Orr was a standout in the club’s run to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL finals series.

Orr’s victory was announced at Friday night’s vote count and awards presentation in the Pigeon Park social rooms at Barrack Reserve.

The ruckman polled 15 votes to be fourth in the race for the Sam Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best behind Leitchville Gunbower ruckman Jobee Warde (20 votes) and White Hills grand final hero Liam Bartels (19).

Third placegetter was Mount Pleasant ruckman Chris Down on 16.

Orr won a Feeny Medal when playing with Boort in the North Central competition.

The season for the Andrew Saladino-coached Saints ended when the first semi-final against Leitchville Gunbower was abandoned after lightning and a storm lashed White Hills. The Saints were down 48-50 when the match was called off.

Club president Bec Dickinson said the Saints had a tremendous group of players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. “I thank everyone involved in and around the club that makes it what it is,” Dickinson said.