Sport
9 September, 2022
Wright-ful winner: Jayden Wright wins MDFL Medal
Ararat Eagles forward Jayden Wright was the toast of the town on Monday night after taking out the prestigious Mininera and District Football League W J Lewis Best and Fairest Medal in spectacular fashion.
Ararat Eagles forward Jayden Wright was the toast of the town on Monday night after taking out the prestigious Mininera and District Football League W J Lewis Best and Fairest Medal in spectacular fashion.
In front of a large crowd at Dunkeld, Wright polled strongly from the beginning of the count. He was checked by Anthony Rosato of Tatyoon early on, with the lead see-sawing in the hotly contested competition. Nathan Rentsch from Penshurst also made ground into second position at Round 12, but from then on it was a two-man race between Rosato and Wright. By Round 14 Wright was 7 points clear, gaining another 3-vote in Rounds 15 and 16, to finish with 37 points; 10 points ahead of Rosato in runner-up position on 27, with Rentsch coming in third on 24 points. Ararat Eagles Ben Robertson finished a creditable 5th and last year’s winner, Joshua Brown from Tatyoon, was 9th.
In a remarkable effort, Wright polled votes in 13 of the possible 14 games that the Eagles played this season – the team missing two matches due to Covid forfeits.
The final tally of 37 points is a league record, the previous top score of 36 was achieved by Jason Mifsud of Caramut back in 1994. At that time it was a feat which was thought to be unreachable.
There was cause for double celebration for Wright on the night, as the now 21-year-old was also awarded the Ruth Brain Memorial Medal for the Best Under 21 Player in Seniors Competition. This trophy is presented by the League to honour the former MDFL President and Moyston-Willaura sporting identity who passed away suddenly in 2014. It is determined by the highest votes polled in the Lewis Medal count.
This year’s awards presentation was livestreamed on social media. The Mininera and District Netball Association conducted their vote count online too, ensuring maximum participation for clubs and supporters. League President, Dale Bruns, also posted his thanks via video-link to all of the players, umpires, volunteers and especially families who make the League so successful and enjoyable.
The D J Martin Medal for the Best Player in Reserves went to Joe Thomson of Tatyoon, with 25 points, seven points clear of Runner-Up David Fanning of Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
Tatyoon enjoyed further success in the J J Box Under 16.5 Best and Fairest Medal, with Noah Barbary declared the winner on 27 votes, ahead of Tom O’Sullivan of Caramut on 22, and Moyston-Willaura’s Jack Manning on 21.
Seniors Leading Goalkicker was Michael Lockyer from Lismore-Derrinallum booting “over the ton” with 101 goals, well ahead of Runner Up Ben Clay of Tatyoon with 77. Damien Logan from Glenthompson-Dunkeld secured the Reserves Goalkicking Award with 52, ahead of Matthew Levings of Lismore-Derrinallum 45, and Ash Maconochie Tatyoon on 36. Under 16.5 Leading Goalkicker was Penshurst’s Noah Cameron 38, ahead of his teammates Henry Bensch 31 and Nate Cameron 18.
Under 12 Administrator of the Year was Matthew Lowe, Glenthompson-Dunkeld. Club Umpire of the Year was Peter Gordon, Hawkesdale Macarthur. The Watson Electrical Trophy for the Champion Club was won by Tatyoon on 84 points with Ararat Eagles next-best on 71.