SWNFL 2022: Netball clubs recognise their very best and reflect on season at club award ceremonies

With the 2022 South West Netball Football League at an end, South Western Times journalist Carly Laden takes a look at who was recognised the best of the best among the SWNFL clubs. Augusta-Margaret River After getting as far as the preliminary final in the reserves competition, Augusta-Margaret River celebrated their season alongside their football counterparts at a ceremony at Xanadu Winery on October 8. Annabel Angland, who was named the SWNFL’s reserves MVP during the Testrow Medal night last month, was named the Hawks’ most valuable player, while Dom Scott was voted as the players’ player. Bunbury Following a solid season on the netball courts, Bunbury Bulldogs acknowledged their best players alongside their football counterparts in an awards ceremony on October 14. Defender Isabelle Szermay was named the Bulldogs’ league best and fairest, while Hailey Burrows was named the runner-up and shooter Kaitlyn Tucker took home the coaches award. In the reserves, Tauri Freeman was awarded best and fairest, Jade Begovic was named runner-up and Ellie Horsfall won the coaches award. Tennille Panuccio was named Bunbury’s masters best and fairest, Lisa Smith was named runner-up and Alison Catelan took home the coaches award. In the 18 & under awards, Ella Frisina was named best and fairest, Summer Towers was named runner-up and Mikayla Cusato won the coaches award. Indianna Sinclair won the 16 & under best and fairest, Jess Babich was named runner-up and Jordan Brady won the coaches award. Busselton After a season’s worth of hard work and tenacity paid off in a big way by claiming the 2022 SWNFL league premiership, Busselton Magpies celebrated the individual achievements of their best players during their presentation night on October 14. Mia Pethybridge was awarded Busselton’s league MVP award, while Isabel Legros was named runner-up MVP and Phoebe Pethybridge won the coaches award. In the reserves awards, Jess Pether was named MVP, Jess Gregor was runner-up and Ivy Golding took home the coaches award. Holly-Jo Delaney won the 18 & under MVP award while Rebekah Cook was named runner-up MVP and Sienna Norton won the coaches award. In the 16 & under awards, Hannah Forbes was named MVP, Olivia Crothers was awarded runner-up MVP and Annika Brearley took home the coaches award. Club president Danielle Cann was awarded the Natasha O’Neill clubperson of the year award. Carey Park Despite only finding success within its masters team, Carey Park celebrated promising signs for the future during the club’s presentation night on October 8, coinciding with the club’s football awards. After a strong season in defence and earning a spot in the SWNFL’s Team of the Year, Sophie Blackett was awarded Carey Park’s Stewart Medal as the best and fairest, while Emily Brough was named runner-up and Zoe Buck managed third place. Charlene Barrett earned the Hill Medal as the best and fairest for the reserves side, with Brooke Rebello named runner up and Amber Strachan claiming third place. Nicole Jones was awarded the Graham Jones medal as the best and fairest for the masters side, which managed a fourth consecutive premiership last month. In the 18 & under squad, Emily Heslewood won the Haddon medal as the best and fairest, Maya Birmingham was named runner-up and Pierina Fazey took home the coaches award. Donnybrook After making the reserves grand final in their return to the South West Netball Football League, Donnybrook celebrated their successful season alongside their football counterparts in an awards ceremony on October 15. Jasmin Culverwell was awarded Donnybrook’s MVP, Jess Hogan was named the runner-up MVP and Kaleisha Gardiner won the coaches award. Eaton Boomers Despite missing out on achieving back-to-back premierships in the league competition, Eaton Boomers celebrated a strong season across the board during their awards ceremony last month. Kirsty Fitzgerald was named the league MVP for her outstanding performances in the mid-court throughout the season, while defenders Kasey Joy and Michelle Wood were respectively recognised as the runner up MVP and the coaches award winner. Sophie Hart was named the reserves MVP, Emily Hart was runner up MVP and Danika Stevenson received the coaches award. In the masters awards, SWNFL masters MVP Adele Hehir won the MVP award, while Nicole Standley was the runner up and Shannon Marino won the coaches award. In the 18 & under awards, Aaliyah Collard was awarded MVP, Jemma Farmer was named runner up and Maggie Connell and Mikayla Williams were joint winners of the coaches award. Lily Knight was named the 16 and under MVP for the Boomers, while April McLennan and Bailey Harkness were joint runners up and Isla Stanford received the coaches award. Ebony Beresford was named the club’s volunteer of the year. Harvey Bulls A solid campaign that culminated in reaching the semifinals in the masters competition has resulted in the Harvey Bulls celebrating the season that was alongside their football counterparts on October 8. Colleen DeAngelis was named the Bulls’ fairest and best, while Ninnette Comito was named the runner up fairest and best and Lisa Joseph was deemed the best finals player. Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault After a largely successful 2022 campaign for the league side and promising signs for their other teams, HBL recognised their best players during an awards ceremony earlier this month. Defender Lauren Vincent was awarded the inaugural Kate Baker Award as the league’s MVP, while joint Testrow medallist Jasmine Barrett was voted the players’ choice and midcourter Khea Borkowski was named most consistent. In the reserves awards, Rebecca Lloyd-Woods was named MVP, newcomer Marley Haisma was voted the players’ choice and Taylor Gray was awarded most improved. Lana Donaldson was named the masters MVP, Hayley Frontino was awarded runner up and Jodi Higgins was awarded most consistent. Makaira Donohoe was named HBL’s 18 and under MVP, while Bella Francis was runner up and Aimee De Passet earned the coaches award. Lia Smith and Kym Pennefather were joint winners of the Lioness award for their long-standing dedication to the club, while Hailee Germon won the Myfawny Evans Memorial award for her strong and resilient efforts throughout the year. Mercy-Leschenault-Collie After aligning themselves with the Collie Eagles Football Club this year, Mercy-Leschenault-Collie celebrated the season that was and recognised their best players during a presentation night last month. Tobie Narkle-Watson was named the club’s fairest and best for the reserves squad, Abbey Sharpe was named fairest and best in the 18 and under side and Megan Phillips won the fairest and best award for the 16 and under squad. South Bunbury Young guns were brought to the forefront during South Bunbury’s presentation night, which took place on October 15. Chloe Willsher was named the Tigers’ league fairest and best, while Ella Dowsett was awarded the runner-up fairest and best and Georgia Burgess placed third. In the reserves awards, Sidney Mason won the fairest and best award, Teagan Bulman was named runner up and Bree Roberts placed third. Roberts also won the Manea Family medal as South Bunbury’s playing club person of the year. Joint SWNFL masters MVP Leila Cooper was named South Bunbury’s fairest and best for their masters team, while Jenny Jones and Sue Howard were respectively awarded runner-up and third place. Grace Craigie won the 18 & under fairest and best award, Milla Harker was named runner-up and Abbeygail Jones placed in third. In the 16 and under awards, Isla Laurenson was named the fairest and best, Mikayla Williams was named runner-up and Delta Opperman was announced as the third placegetter.