CAT Scarlett Jarrad is celebrating another outstanding season, named runner-up in the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League’s 2021/22 Best and Fairest Medal Count and once again grabbing a guernsey in the league’s team of the year.

Leading the count by one vote going into the final round of the count, Jarrad picked up 12 votes across the nine-round season, missing out in the last round, when the Cats suffered a resounding loss to South Gambier.

A founding member of the Casterton women’s team, she has helped navigate the team through several rocky seasons where player shortages and then the Covid-19 pandemic plagued the club, was named runner-up league best and fairest on a previous occasion and has made regular appearances in the team of the year.

Ever-reluctant in the individual spotlight, Jarrad said she was “truly shocked” to poll so well in this year’s count, given the emerging talent in the Cats’ line-up.

“I didn’t expect it at all, to be honest; I think we have a really well-spread team, experience and skill-wise now,” she said.

“I really thought the votes would be spread across the team.”

Jarrad paid tribute to team mate, Hamilton’s Sophie Arkun, who joined her in the team of the year list.

“This is only, I think, her second year of football, but just her run and her game knowledge, is unreal and she has really bought into the team side of it too – all those Hamilton girls did.

“They gave up playing their first game for their home season to play in our final, because you can’t play in two comps in one weekend, so they had to pick and they all wanted to stay together for the team.”

She also paid tribute to the coaching and management crew that has been with the team, since its inception.

“A huge thanks to Mark (Widdicombe) who took us on, started us off and who has stayed with us to support (Pete Hutchins), our new coach, this year,” she said.

“Also to Jane, our team manager and to (runner, Todd Millard) who organise and support us each week.

“They each bring so much to the team.”

With Konogorong knocked out of the race at the weekend, the Cats will make history as the first women’s team to play in a league grand final in two weeks’ time, taking on the North Gambier Tigers, at Penola.

“It just proves we’ve come a long way since that rocky start and I think this will be a really evenly-matched game – really good to watch and to play,” Jarrad said.

“We have some really good kids coming through now and it’s really good to see a pathway for those girls into the bigger leagues, that we didn’t get when we were younger.

“I can see a bright future for the girls team at the club, if we can just keep getting those kids there.”