THE South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL) hosted its annual presentation evenings on Monday and Tuesday, with the most coveted award – league best and fairest – going to Cavendish’s Sam Gibson on Monday, as the key forward stormed home with a huge second half of the season.

It’s another feather in the cap of a highly decorated footballer, with Gibson winning the award in his first year at Cavendish after polling 19 votes, six votes clear of runner-up, Dartmoor’s Lachlan Polaski.

Gibson has previously represented the Box Hill Hawks at VFL level.

He had a fantastic year goal-kicking wise, finishing fourth on the goals tally with 54.

Gibson said he certainly hadn’t gone into the night expecting to win, as he had missed a couple of games due to injury, and ultimately relied on a huge final portion of the season votes-wise to get him over the line.

“Obviously it’s an honour to win the award, to be honest I just came along to enjoy the night and see how it all went,” he said.

He added that while arriving in a new town to play for a new club had been “nerve-racking”, the Cavendish people had embraced him with open arms.

“I can’t speak more highly of Cavendish really, they’re a great family club,” he said.

“They’ve made me feel welcome from day one, and it’s really settled the nerves in terms of moving to a new community after spending so much time in the city.

“In particular I want to thank our coach, Clinton Thomas, from the day he got on the phone to me he’s made me feel so welcome, and he’s coached really well this year.

“Also, to the families who volunteer week-in, week-out, they’re what makes footy so enjoyable so I can’t thank them enough.”

In other senior football awards for the night, Dartmoor’s Liam Robinson took home the Hamilton Spectator/Portland Observer MVP award, while Giants teammate, Christian Howlett, topped the leading goalkicker award with 70 majors for the season.

Best player Under-21 went to Branxholme-Wallacedale’s Travis Scott, while the Saints were also named as the most disciplined club.

Coleraine was named as the champion club.

Dartmoor defender tops A grade count

AFTER a stellar defensive season, Dartmoor’s Chloe Finnigan has claimed the SWDFNL A grade best and fairest.

Finnigan claimed her award at the league’s netball vote count on Tuesday night, polling 20 votes and holding off Cavendish playing-coach, Marni Luhrs by two votes as runner-up.

It has been a standout season for the defender, who has been a huge contributor to Dartmoor’s ascension up the ladder in 2022.

When Finnigan reflected on her season, playing her role was the top priority and anything other than that was a bonus.

“I didn’t really think I had a shot, the girls kept saying I’ve got it, but I didn’t feel like that at all; I felt like I did my job but to be the best out of all of everyone that is playing, it just doesn’t really feel like that’s me,” she said.

Finnigan’s successful year continues to build and after playing both football and netball across winter, claiming a football premiership with the Hamilton Kangaroos and now a SWDFNL best and fairest.

While the success is exciting, Finnigan said she’s had to manage being able to compete across two days throughout the year.

“It has been so hard; my body on a Monday and even a Tuesday was so sore. I just had the roller out all the time rolling my legs and going for it,” she said.

Another contributor to Dartmoor’s successful season has been new recruit, Holly Smith, who has been sharing the ring with Finnigan throughout the season.

Smith was Dartmoor’s next highest vote getter and Finnigan said it had lifted the defensive end with her injection.

“She’s seriously amazing, I know whatever I’m doing out front, she’ll be there to get the ball,” Finnigan said.

“I think we play quite similar, so we know where each other is. It took us a fair few games to make it work, but once it started to work, it has felt really good.”

Finnigan has been with Dartmoor for a number of years now and has been a part of their rise in the netball ranks, with this year an exciting prospect for her side.

“I’m so excited, I’m excited to see where we can get to and what we can do as a team, I feel like we’ve worked hard all year,” she said.

“I mean five years ago we didn’t even win an A grade game to now going into our next final, so I’m excited to see where our finals series takes us.”

Dartmoor has won through to the second semi-final on Saturday where the Giants will take on Tyrendarra for a spot in the grand final – with the loser to try and find their way to the play-off through the preliminary final.

Luhrs finished runner-up and said Finnigan had been a tough opponent throughout the year with her ability to contribute week-in, week-out a huge asset to her game.

“Chloe’s consistency is probably shone through and at the end of the day if you turn up and play your role, that really counts,” she said.

Luhrs has had an impressive season in her own right, dominating Cavendish’s attacking end alongside coaching responsibilities.

With her side finishing fourth on the ladder and winning their elimination final last week, Luhrs and her side will face Westerns on Sunday in the minor semi final.

The A grade Hamilton Spectator/Portland Observer award went to Heywood shooter Shakira Stuchbery for the second year in a row.