Top of pack: Echuca ruckman Kane Morris was crowned club champion last week. Photo: Cath Grey
Photo by
Cath Grey
Echuca Football Netball Club crowned their club champions via a virtual presentation on Thursday night, with Kane Morris and Angela Slattery recognised for their outstanding seasons.
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Morris’s dominant year in the ruck for the Murray Bombers saw him figure in many pundits’ Morrison Medal calculations by season’s end, and for good reason.
In 10 games, Echuca’s captain boasted four best-on-ground showings, including a sublime performance in his 100th game against rivals Kyabram.
Morris did not take out GVL honours, but etched his name into the honour board at Echuca as a club champion.
“In my eyes, he’s probably the best ruck in the competition,” co-coach Simon Maddox said.
“He’s someone a lot of our kids can learn off, and just a favourite son of our football club.”
Swing-man Sam Willoughby has had his efforts recognised, firstly with runner-up honours and secondly by Shepparton News with a spot in the forward-line of their Team of the Year.
On the netball courts, Slattery’s impact in the Bombers back-court also had her in Wellman Medal discussions.
The defender polled nine votes in that count — however 25 votes in Echuca’s A-grade vote count was enough to take out the club best-and-fairest.
Key performer: Echuca's Angela Slattery in action in defence earlier this season. Photo: Megan Fisher
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It’s a three-peat of top grade honours for Slattery, with best-and-fairests at Moama in 2018 and 2019; with the 2020 season of course cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her defensive partner-in-crime, Lauren Jones, was a close runner-up after a stellar season of her own.
Greta Pearson claimed the B-grade double, adding Echuca’s best-and-fairest to her Sandra Cox medal at the GVL awards night, ahead of runner-up Bianca Willis in her first season at the club.
Lucy Eishold was a runaway winner in the B-reserve count with 37 votes, ahead of Tina Rankins on 21.
It was a tie at the top in the development team’s football count, with Curtis Townrow and Jack Hughes sharing honours, both playing key roles in the side’s undefeated year.
The under-18 footballers went through the season unblemished as well, in part due to the efforts of newly-crowned best-and-fairest Cooper Willoughby and runner-up Sam Deola.
Echuca’s under-16 footballers were recognised for their seasons across the club’s Shepparton District Junior Football League and GVL sides.
James Head took out the SDJFL under-16s best-and-fairest, while Noah Langbourne was the undefeated GVL side’s best, ahead of runner-up Tom Evans.
The 17-and-under netballers enjoyed a strong season finishing second, with top honours going the way of Miah Roberts, and Lilly Oliver as runner-up.
Echuca’s under-15 netballers were firmly in the finals frame before the end of the season.
Holly Chadwick was named best-and-fairest for the side, followed by joint runner-ups Milly Ross and Pip Bush.
Priding itself on its volunteer base, Echuca also recognised several people for their efforts during the presentation.
Amanda Sampson was recognised as the club person of the year, overseeing a range of roles across the netball program this season, including team manager of the 17-and-under netball team as well as the A-grade team’s primary carer.
Claire Byrne was the recipient of the Netball Umpires Award.
A full list of award winners, along with photos, will feature in the Riverine Herald later this week.
