DESPITE missing out on premiership glory, Leayla Pohl got a nice surprise when she topped the votes to win the Western Victoria Female Football League  (WVFFL) Under-18 Best and Fairest Award on Sunday.

The 14-year-old was a standout for Cavendish through the midfield, polling 16 votes to win by four ahead of Terang-Mortlake’s Tayla Bell.

Making the win even more impressive is the fact Pohl was still eligible to play Under-15s.

“It was nice, I went down feeling like I had a good season, but it was a nice surprise,” she said.

“I just really love it and I am just improving in the sport.”

Pohl also runs cross country, and so her fitness base is strong, giving her the ability to cover the ground quickly.

The 14-year-old has been playing the game for three years and enjoys the many aspects to the sport.

“I started kicking the football at school, then I heard Cavendish had an Under-11 team and I joined that, then kept playing,” she said.

“The sport is such an amazing thing, you run a lot which is nice for me, and you put yourself under so much pressure, you make quick decisions and you play with a team – I really love the team aspect.

“I have spent a lot of time with Clinton and Dion at training, and the other players are such an inspiration.

“Our team energy, we have got a really good group and we encourage each other, and we are also a really physical team as well.”

The Good Shepherd College student is also taking inspiration from Jess Rentsch, who attended the same school and was drafted by the West Coast Eagles last year.

Pohl said AFLW was on her radar and hopes to play at that level in the future.

“I want to play AFLW, Rebels will be the first step towards that,” Pohl said.

“It was really cool to be able to go to school with Jess, I was at junior campus and she was in her final year here, but it was cool to see how she developed.

“We had an interesting relationship, I have never really talked much about footy with her though.

“She inspires me and (her story) gives me something to aim for.”

She also captains the Cavendish Under-14 side and is looking to embrace other leadership opportunities in the future.

“All the coaches I have had from Under-11 to where I am now, they’ve all been amazing and putting the time and effort in,” she said.

“I feel like I am challenged, but I also feel like I am making a difference to the team.

“My teammates have been through so much with me, my good games and bad, and they have been very supportive of me.”

Horsham Demons’ Vanilla Ika won the Senior Women’s award with 17 votes, while North Warrnambool Eagles’ Lily Shand topped the Under-15 votes with 21.