Riddell District: Wallan cleans up as Steven Boyall wins Bowen Medal

Wallan found itself on top of the world at the Riddell District league presentation night as the Magpies claimed several awards including back-to-back Bowen Medal winners.

Wallan has cleaned up at the Riddell District Football League’s night of nights.

The Magpies finished last Friday night’s league presentation with three footy best and fairest after a brilliant 2022 season.

Steven Boyall took home the Bowen Medal with 29 votes, eight clear of Riddell star Mick Edwards who was awarded the Matthews Medal for his runner-up finish.

Boyall was fantastic for the Magpies in his second season at the club going onto be named in the best on 13 occasions and kicking 18 goals.

He followed in the footsteps of teammate Ricky Schraven who won the award in 2021.

Edwards who also awarded the Steve Turner Medal after being named the rising gun recipient.

Meanwhile, Wallan pair Matthew Traynor and Spencer Whittingham took home the reserves and under 19.5 awards respectively.

Magpies star forward Corey Grindlay as also honoured after he was named the Footballer of the Year, an award presented to a player who has the most selections by coaches in the Team of the Year.

Wallan dominated the Team of the Year selection with six players named in the side, the most of any club.

Josh Pound (Woodend-Hesket) was named the Coach of the Year.

Woodend-Hesket star Tayissa Coppinger was named the Ryan Medallist for 2022 after a dominant season for the Hawks.

She finished with 23 votes, four clear of Wallan’s Karina Martin.

Coppinger was also named the Netballer of the Year to cap off a brilliant season for her as an individual.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

B: Taylor Hine (Diggers Rest), Michael Mannix (Wallan), Corey Viani (Wallan)

HB: Matt Dick (Macedon), Ben Sonogan (Riddell), Luke Delahey (Diggers Rest)

C: Cal Williamson (Riddell), Steven Boyall (Wallan), Marcus Calvaresi (Diggers Rest)

HF: Mitch Jensen (Diggers Rest), Jason Cooke (Macedon), Corey Grindlay (Wallan)

FF: Sean Morris (Wallan), Matt Perri (Wallan), Mitch Day (Diggers Rest)

Foll: Josh Grabham (Riddell), Michael Edwards (Riddell), Ricky Schraven (Wallan)

Int: Nathan Hoy (Romsey), Riley Paterson (Riddell), Jack Jedwab (Romsey), Nathan Blair (Romsey)

AWARD WINNERS

Bowen Medal: Steven Boyall, Wallan — 29 votes

Ryan Medal: Tayissa Coppinger, Woodend-Hesket — 23 votes

Footballer of the Year: Corey Grindlay, Wallan

Netballer of the Year: Tayissa Coppinger, Woodend-Hesket

Rising Gun (Steve Turner Medal): Mick Edwards, Riddell

Netball Rising Star: Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale, Western Rams

Club of the Year: Wallan FNC

Unsung Hero: Jo-Anne Carroll

Reserves Best and Fairest: Matthew Traynor, Wallan

U19.5’s Best and Fairest: Spencer Whittingham, Wallan

Club 18 Best and Fairest: Jesse Stiles, Eynesbury

B Grade Best and Fairest: Brooke Seidel, Diggers Rest

C Grade Best and Fairest: Percilla Hetaraka-Kelly, Western Rams

19 & Under Best and Fairest: Elisa Butterworth-Gonebale, Western Rams