Georgie Prespakis named Calder Cannons, NAB League Girls and EDFL Under-18 Girls best-and-fairest
Georgie Prespakis underlined her incredible talent this season as she claimed the NAB League Girls and EDFL Girls under-18 league best-and-fairest awards this season ... and she’s only 16.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
At just 16 years old, Georgie Prespakis has had a remarkable 2019.
The Calder Cannons young gun was named the NAB League Girls best-and-fairest on Sunday, completing an incredible hat-trick of awards.
Prespakis also won the Cannons’ club best-and-fairest and was named the EDFL Girls under-18 league champion this season.
MORRISH: ROCCI, PRESPAKIS CLAIM BEST-AND-FAIREST
LEADER: GET YOUR NAB LEAGUE FOOTY NEWS HERE
CANNON: PATRIKIOS NAMED U18 CHAMPS, METRO MVP
It’s an incredible achievement considering she played eight of 10 NAB League games and just five in the EDFL for Sunbury Lions.
Cannons’ female talent co-ordinator Russell Humphrey was in awe of Prespakis’ season but was wary of the need to keep the unique talent fresh.
“It’s an outstanding achievement,” Humphrey said.
“That’s the biggest challenge for us, making sure she’s ready when the opportunity arrives to play AFLW footy she’s not burnt out.
“We did that during the year, we kept her out of the midfield, and played her mainly off half-back and occasionally forward.”
Prespakis was named on the half-back flank in the NAB League Girls Team of the Year.
Calder teammates Felicity Theodore and Georgia Patrikios were also selected in the team.
Prespakis claimed the NAB League top gong with 20 votes, ahead of Western Jets captain Elisabeth Georgostathis on 15, polling in seven of eight games with six maximums.
She shared EDFL under-18 honours with fellow Cannons 16-year-old Olivia Manfre from Keilor with 15 votes, named best on ground in every game she played.
Prespakis will have to wait until the 2021 draft to join her sister Maddy in the AFLW ranks.
Maddy claimed the 2017 NAB League Girls best-and-fairest — jointly with Geelong’s Nina Morrison — before being drafted to Carlton and claiming the AFLW Rising Star award this year.
Chloe Molley was a joint winner in 2016, with Prespakis’ win completing a hat-trick of league awards for the Cannons.
“As a footy club, we’ve had a medallist the first three years, which is a pretty special achievement for the players and everyone involved,” Humphrey said.
Patrikios, Theodore and Alana Barba are hoping to join Molloy and Maddy Prespakis at AFLW level after earning draft combine invites.
WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO
— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.
— Unprecedented AFL coverage.
— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.
— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.
— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.
Live stream: Draft prospects set to collide in Talent League blockbuster
Two of the brightest young AFL draft prospects will be hoping to further stamp their credentials in Saturday’s Calder Cannons and Eastern Ranges clash. Watch the double-header LIVE here.
Investigator rules on bump as concussed star in line for surprise return
An independent investigation has delivered a verdict on the bump that left Darby Henderson concussed. And the Lara star is poised to return this weekend — but a call won’t be made until the last minute.