THE Hamilton Kangaroos wrapped up their 2023 Hampden Football Netball League season with the club’s best and fairest awards on Saturday night.

Taine Morris and Emma Sommerville topped the votes in the senior football and open netball counts

Morris said he was surprised to win the award, expecting others to poll well on the night.

“It was a bit of a surprise, I thought (Cameron) Pither or Ethan (Knight) would be up there,” he said.

“It was pretty tough in the back line for a lot of us, the season didn’t quite go like as we’d planned.”

The 24-year-old said a strong pre-season helped set up a strong season and said he was hoping to build on it going forward.

“I enjoy floating around down there,” he said.

“Just running both ways was a priority, much the same as this year, so hopefully I can get another good pre-season in.”

Knight finished runner-up, while Pither was named most determined.

Hamish Cook collected the coach’s award, while Deacon White collected the most courageous player award.

Sommerville was named the open netball best and fairest, just ahead of runner-up, Clare Crawford.

The co-coach said the evenness of the votes showed how strong the team performed at different times during the year.

“The vote count was really close, which was a reflection of the team and how strong everyone is,” she said.

“We don’t do it for individual accolades and there are definitely other trophies I’d prefer.”

Staying healthy on the court went a long way to putting in a strong season, coming off a 2022 season that was interrupted by injury at different times.

“Just being able to run out the whole season (was a positive),” Sommerville said.

“To be honest I probably felt fitter last season even with the injuries, I felt the fitness and speed was a little bit off this year, but just having that consistency was probably the reflection on my season.

“There was definitely goals, I don’t think I achieved them personally – limited time in the gym – I was looking at building that speed and power.”

Ella Sevior was named most determined, while Leesa Iredell collected the players’ choice award, with Madsie Phillips receiving the rising star award.

Emily Pitts saluted in the senior women’s football votes, holding off runner-up, Mimi Chun, in the votes in a year the team won the Western Victoria Female Football League premiership.

Elise Thurman was named most determined, while the coach’s award going to Hinemoa Biddle-Maitland.

Lower grades

HUGH Douglas won the reserves football best and fairest ahead of joint runners-up, Josh Nield and James Whyte.

Jake Donehue was named most determined, with Harrison Killen taking out the coach’s award.

Michayla McRae topped the Division 1 votes with Kelsey Lewis runner-up.

Jess Crane collected the most determined honour, while Grace Cleaver received the coach’s award.

Maddie Rhook was named Division 2 best and fairest ahead of runner-up, Brooke Gordon.

Taylah Casey was the most determined award winner.

Saskia Gould topped the Division 3 votes, with Holly Rook finishing just behind.

Most determined went to Sharnah Malseed, with Ellorah McConachy collecting the coach’s award.

Charlie Field was named Under-18.5 football best and fairest, ahead of Ben Marti, with Jock Barrie and Jake Tonissen collecting the most determined and coach’s award.

Maddison Cotten saluted in the Under-18 girls football vote count, with Ruby Cleaver finishing runner-up.

Emily Tonissen was named most determined, while Macy Riley won the coach’s award.

The 17-and-Under netball top prize went to Ella Sevior, with Grace Cleaver runner-up.

Molly O’Brien and Ellorah McConachy collected the most determined and coach’s awards respectively.