Check out all the winners from the Northern league’s Rosbrook Medal night
Heidelberg’s Lachie Wilson is a two-time Rosbrook Medallist after a thrilling count on Wednesday night, while Tahnysha Salanoa was crowned the top netballer.
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Heidelberg star Lachie Wilson’s resume continues to grow.
The Tigers midfielder was awarded the Rosbrook Medal on Wednesday night as the Northern league’s Division 1 best-and-fairest.
In a thrilling count, Wilson (23 votes) pipped Montmorency pair Liam Wale-Buxton and Marcus Lentini (20), while Bundoora’s Hamish Shepheard was fourth on 16.
It’s Wilson’s second league medal, having also won in 2021, while he was second in 2022 and seventh in 2019.
He was the 10th Heidelberg player to win the Frank Smith/Frank Rosbrook Medal but now becomes the first to do it twice.
He’ll hope to add a third premiership medallion – and potentially second grand final medal – to his collection on Saturday when the Tigers face Bundoora in the Division 1 grand final.
All that at just 24.
“I’m very honoured, I can’t believe it,” Wilson said.
“Second time, I just missed out last year so had to come back and got it this year.
“I’ve had quite a few individual awards but only two premierships at the moment so I’m trying to get a couple more of those under my belt.
“In the past, players like Danny Nolan – an old coach of mine – has won five so I’m just trying to tick that over.”
Wilson will have a big role to play in Saturday’s decider.
The Tigers go in red-hot favourites after beating Bundoora in seven straight contests, including last year’s grand final.
“Saturday’s a big opportunity for the football club,” Wilson said.
“The whole team, we’ve put a lot in this year under Vinny Dattoli and hopefully on Saturday we can come out and show we’re the best side in the comp.”
Meanwhile, Heat Netball’s Tahnysha Salanoa was crowned the Section 1 netball league best-and-fairest.
Salanoa is the first Heat player to win the top-flight medal, polling in four of the last six matches and clinching the win with a best-on-court three votes in the season finale.
She beat out three North Heidelberg players, Olivia Ellis and Chloe Lambert finishing second with Madeline Ellis a further vote back.
Asked if she came in expecting to contend.
“No way, not going up against Liv, Maddie and Chloe, they’re amazing athletes,” Salanoa said.
Elsewhere, St Mary’s Tane Cotter was crowned the Division 2 football best-and-fairest.
The Burras midfielder was awarded two votes in the last match of the season to finish on 21 and pip Eltham ruckman Tom Goodwin by one.
South Morang’s Lachie Potter and Diamond Creek defender Nathan Searl were tied third on 16.
In Division 3, the league medal is back in Heidelberg West hands after Lachie Evans stormed to victory.
Evans polled the maximum votes in eight matches to finish with 31 votes as Mernda’s Billy Morrison finished second on 27 and Laurimar’s Luke Wilson was third on 17.
He follows former Hawk ruckman Jarryd Coulson, who won a three-peat of medals in 2017-19.
In the women’s, Diamond Creek Women’s gun Maykaylah Appleby topped the charts on 18 votes.
Montmorency skipper Emily Beanland finished one vote behind, while teammates Jess Nursey and Chiara Scuderi and Eltham’s Alannah Murray were third.
In Division 2, Mernda’s Gulia Ceravolo went back-to-back.
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The Demons star won the Division 3 medal last season and polled 18 votes to finish ahead of St Mary’s Megan Girolami, while Fitzroy Stars’ Stephanie Briggs, Heidelberg’s Emily de Sando and Greensborough’s Emmison Zealley all tied for third.
In Division 3, Wallan’s Kelly Lennox won the league medal ahead of Heidelberg West pair Molly Reinke and Crystal Grech.
While Lentini finished just shy of the top award, he did take home the Division 1 Coaches’ MVP, while Thomastown’s Tyrone Leonardis was the Division 2 winner and Wilson took home the Division 3 award.
Banyule’s Bruce Ryan was named the NFNL Volunteer of the Year, while Old Eltham Collegians took home the Club of the Year.
Montmorency captain to be given until final minute
Montmorency is through to its first NFNL Division 1 grand final since 2013 and will give skipper Stef Uzelac until the final second to prove his fitness.
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