NPL best and fairest Nick Morton not ruling out interstate move

Football Tasmania has crowned it’s individual champions for season 2023 with one winner leaving the door open for an interstate move.

Football Tasmania's NPL Best and Fairest 2023 Nick Morton. Picture: Linda Higginson.

South Hobart superstar and NPL veteran Nick Morton hasn’t closed the door on heading interstate to further his football career after winning the NPL best and fairest for 2023.

Morton was crowned the men’s premier league best player at this past Saturday’s Football Tasmania awards night.

Nick Morton (South Hobart) gets the ball away from Josh Mathie (Clarence Zebras) earlier in the season. Picture: Anthony Corke

And while he may have celebrated game 200 earlier this season, Morton wouldn’t rule out exploring interstate opportunities next season despite his strong ties to South Hobart.

“Absolutely ecstatic (to win the award),” Morton said.

“I never thought it would happen so I’m super proud and something I’ll cherish forever.

“Obviously my heart lies with South Hobart but I’m not opposed to living on the mainland so we will see (what happens next season).

In the night’s other major NPL awards, the Glenorchy Knights’ Jamie Sharman was named NPL Coach of the Year while the Devonport Strikers’ Roberto Fernandez-Garrido claimed both the golden boot and players’ player award.

In the WSL, it was Devonport Strikers’ star Jazmin White that claimed her second straight best and fairest award while she also won the competition’s golden boot gong.

Football Tasmania's WSL Best and Fairest 2023 Jazmin White. Picture: Linda Higginson.

“It feels amazing. I’ve just won back to back and that’s absolutely phenomenal,” White said.

“I’m a bit shocked but it’s so special, and to be a part of an amazing team (with the Strikers) this season has been a real highlight.”

Taroona’s Karen Willis was named WSL Coach of the Year while South Hobart’s Pishon Choi was named the Player’s Player.

Outgoing Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley, who finishes in post on 14 September, congratulated all players and award winners.

“Committing to a team in our top men’s and women’s leagues is no small undertaking for our players, most of whom also have work, study and family commitments, and we know they give their all week in and week out, throughout the season,” he said.

NPL Winners

B & F – Nick Morton (South Hobart)

Golden Boot – Roberto Fernandez-Garrido (Devonport Strikers)

Golden Glove – Jackson Gardner (Glenorchy Knights)

Coach of the Year – Jamie Sharman (Glenorchy Knights)

Players’ Player – Roberto Fernandez-Garrido (Devonport Strikers)

Rising Star – Rowan Pitt (Glenorchy Knights)

Referee of the Year – Brenton Kopra

Walter Pless Media Award – Roberto Fernandez-Garrido (Devonport Strikers)

NPL 21s Winners

B & F – Daniel Arnaiz (South Hobart)

Golden Boot – Daniel Arnaiz (South Hobart)

Golden Glove – Noah Curtis (Launceston City)

Coach of the Year – Geoff Brown (South Hobart)

Players’ Player – Daniel Arnaiz (South Hobart)

Referee of the Year – Joshua Berry

WSL Winners

B & F – Jazmin White (Devonport Strikers)

Golden Boot – Jazmin White (Devonport Strikers)

Golden Glove – Jenna Farrow (South Hobart)

Coach of the Year – Karen Willis (Taroona)

Players’ Player – Pishon Choi (South Hobart)

Rising Star – Graciella Baez (Clarence Zebras)

Referee of the Year – Elliana Beeston

Media Award – Pishon Choi (South Hobart)