Year of the Dee: Jerilderie’s Chris Marshall claimed the PDL’s Pearce Medal. Picture: Margo Gregory.
For the first time in more than two years, the Pearce and Lukies medals were handed out at a Picola District League presentation ceremony last night.
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Jerilderie coach Chris Marshall etched his name into the history books after he claimed the league’s senior best-and-fairest award.
Marshall finished his 13-game season with 23 votes to his name to take out his first Pearce Medal.
Despite the PDL season not being able to finish due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a thrilling vote count.
Marshall, an experienced, gun onballer, secured the prestigious league award after he polled one vote in the final round of the cancelled season.
Waaia’s star ruckman and former Shepparton premiership player Ash Holland (21 votes) capped off a superb season with a runner-up finish, which he shared with Mathoura’s Jake Ellery (21).
Katamatite’s Sam Poole (16 votes) and Tungamah’s Nick Irvine (15) rounded out the top five.
Strathmerton’s Tyson Sidebottom polled 12 votes to finish eighth and Yarroweyah’s Daniel Ellis managed 11 votes to round out the top-10 leaderboard.
Marshall becomes the first Jerilderie talent to win the Pearce Medal in seven years, following Andrew May’s victory in 2014.
Emerging star: Katamatite’s Sophie Bray won the PDL’s Netball Rising Star Medal.
Meanwhile, Katunga boasts the finest player in the A-grade competition.
The Swans’ Rachael Crowther clinched the Lukies Medal in a tight vote count.
The sublime midcourter finished her classy season on 21 votes, three ahead of Tungamah’s Chloe Elliott.
Crowther polled in 10 matches to take out her maiden Lukies Medal.
Her teammate and coach Aimee Sidebottom featured on the podium with a 16-vote season to finish equal third alongside Jerilderie’s Ella Arnold.
Katamatite emerging talent Sophie Bray was awarded for her stellar year.
Bray was awarded the Netball Rising Star Medal.
The Tigers’ gun talent polled 14 votes in the Lukies Medal from eight matches.
Strathmerton duo Amy Carter and Grace Thomson also enjoyed strong seasons and polled 14 votes apiece.
Katunga dominated the remaining senior netball awards.
The Swans’ Rachael Howden claimed the B-grade best-and-fairest following a flawless season.
Howden (31 votes) edged out Berrigan’s Natalie Ferguson (26) in a high-scoring vote count.
Strathmerton’s Caitlin Mills shared third spot with Deni Rovers’ Jackie Thorpe, with the pair finishing on 25 votes apiece.
Kate Mansfield made it three wins on the night for Katunga.
Mansfield secured the C-grade best-and-fairest in a nail-biting count.
A best-on-court performance in the final round delivered Mansfield victory.
The Swans talent gathered 18 votes to finish one ahead of Jerilderie’s Kate Marshall (17) and Deni’s Sarah Purtill.
And in C-reserve Waaia’s Andrea Walker was celebrated for her brilliant year.
Walker polled in 11 matches to tally up 27 votes, while Jerilderie’s Eden Hercus (23) was runner-up.
In the reserves football best-and-fairest count, Berrigan’s Noel Baxter was a runaway winner.
The onballer polled an enviable 30 votes in his memorable season.
Strathmerton’s Michael Keane was runner-up on 18 votes.
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