Romsey claims Bowen and Ryan Medals in rare RDFNL double

Romsey’s Jaidyn Caruana and Stefanie Symes are the toast of the RDFNL after the Redbacks pair claimed the Bowen and Ryan medals as league champions. SEE THE TEAMS OF THE YEAR.

Stefanie Symes and Jaidyn Caruana claim RDFNL league best-and-fairests. Picture: Romsey Facebook

Romsey celebrated the Riddell District league best-and-fairest double on Wednesday night.

Jaidyn Caruana claimed the Bowen Medal with 28 votes ahead of Broadford’s Rhys Gardener on 14 as the football league’s season champion.

Despite missing the final two games of the season with a hamstring tear, Caruana romped to victory and credited a big pre-season for his breakout campaign.

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“There was a bit of expectation from people at the club but these nights you never go expecting to win,” he said.

“Last year was my first full year, and as I said in my speech, I put on a bit of weight — I got a missus and got a bit comfortable — so I didn’t have my best year.

“We broke up at the start of this year and thought I needed some motivation to get the rig in shape again.

“I started hitting the gym and did a massive pre-season, didn’t miss a session, and got myself fit again and it’s paid off.”

Stefanie Symes completed a Redbacks sweep, winning the Ryan Medal ahead of Georgia Bowkett (Wallan), Chloe Wilson (Macedon) and Anica Scherer (Diggers Rest) in a three-way tie for second in the netball.

Caruana’s win was Romsey’s first Bowen Medal since Shannon Green in 2011, while Helen Couglan was the club’s last Ryan Medallist in 2003.

It completed a bittersweet week for Romsey after the Redbacks crashed out of the football and netball premiership races.

Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb was named league Coach of the Year.

Caruana was named in the centre in the RDFL Team of the Year along with teammates Ayden Tessari and Nathan Blair.

Minor premier Diggers Rest and Riddell each had five players picked while Burras coach Jamie Lobb was named Coach of the Year.

Symes was the goal defence in the netball Team of the Year, which was dominated by Rupertswood with four selections.

Riddell’s Lauren Close was Coach of the Year.

Riddell claimed both football and netball Rising Star awards as Riley Patterson was named the Steve Turner Rising Gun and Kirby Elliott claimed the netball award.

Woodend-Hesket claimed the club championship.

RDFNL Football Team of the Year

Ayden Tessari (Romsey)	Rhys Gardener (Broadford)	Andrew Tyquin (Diggers)
Gavin Urqhart (Riddell)	Nathan Blair (Romsey)	Taylor Hine (Diggers)
Corey Wright (Diggers)	Jaidyn Caruana (Romsey)	Luke Delahey (Diggers)
Haydn Ross (Riddell)	Dylan Weir (Melton Centrals)	Ethan Foreman (Riddell)
Dylan Tarczon (Riddell)	Matthew Perri (Wallan)	Jason Cooke (Macedon)
Tom Waters (Macedon)	Matt Hutchesson (Macedon)	Brent Swallow (Rupertswood)
Paul Sahlberg (Riddell)	Devan Costigan (Diggers)	Kayne Murphy (Rupertswood)
	James Wright (Macedon)
Coach: Jamie Lobb (Diggers)

RDFNL Netball Team of the Year

GK: Claire Johnson (Rupertswood)		GD: Stefanie Symes (Romsey)
WD: Anica Scherer (Diggers Rest)	C: Caitlyn Alifraco (Macedon)	WA: Ailish McCormack (Rupertswood)
GA: Tahnysha Salanoa (Rupertswood)		GS: Chloe Wilson (Macedon)
	Bench
Katie Clarke (Macedon)	Gemma Grimmond (Wallan)	Prue Stanley (Rupertswood)
	Chloe Meulenmeesters (Wallan)
Coach: Lauren Close (Riddell)