Chris Febvre • December 10, 2021
OKFNL 2021 Season Awards
OKFNL 2021 Season Awards
Well, we finally got there. With 2021 throwing even more hurdles at us than 2020 in some regards, the Ovens and King FNL Board was pleased to see the 2021 season, while belatedly, celebrated.
The evening began with the presentation of the club champions for 2021 which went to Milawa FNC who enjoyed a very successful season, despite not getting any finals played.
The Board in 2021 decided to acknowledge the Minor Premiers for 2021 as a way to officially wrap up the season with Moyhu FNC taking home the Under 15s and C Grade Minor Premiers trophies, while Milawa FNC secured the trophies for B Reserve, B Grade and A Grade, as well as both the senior football and reserves football grade awards.
The night continued with four netball umpires which were badged during the year presented with their whistles in: Amber Finger, Kerri Michelini, Candy Weldon and Sarah Holmes-Brown.
In a change-up to years gone by, and without a Grand Final breakfast to acknowledge this season’s Life Members, the Life Members for 2021 were presented with their badges at the presentation night. Kevin Naish of Greta FNC, Les Goonan of North Wangaratta FNC, and Peter Ricardi of Bright FNC, along with currently serving OKFNL Board Members Stuart Hutchinson and Chairperson Peter Byrne.
Following these awards, it was time to move on to the individual player awards for season 2021:
NETBALL
Under 15s:
Most Valuable Player: Lily Boman, North Wangaratta FNC
Leading goal scorer: Kyia Wohlers, Moyhu FNC
Under 15s Best and Fairest: Kyia Wohlers, Moyhu FNC
Best and Fairest runner up: Ellie Miller, Moyhu FNC
It was a great year for Moyhu FNC’s junior grades, capped off with Kyia Wohlers excelling and taking home the top award, with runner up and friend Ellie Miller close by.
C grade: Most Valuable Player: Ebony Newton, Whorouly FNC
Leading goal scorer: Ebony Newton, Whorouly FNC
Flo Egan Medal winner: Tayha Wohlers, Moyhu FNC
Flo Egan Medal runner up: Charlotte Roberts, King Valley FNC
Moyhu FNC’s Tayha Wohlers replicated her sister’s feat from the lower grade to take out the win, narrowly ahead of King Valley’s Charlotte Roberts. Whorouly’s Ebony Newton was the MVP and the leading goal scorer in a promising start to her OKFNL netball career.
B Reserve: Most Valuable Player: Kate Armstrong, Bright FNC
Leading goal scorer: Kate Armstrong, Bright FNC
B Reserve Best and Fairest winner: Ellie Laffy, Milawa FNC
B Reserve Best and Fairest runner up: Jenna McIntyre, Milawa FNC
Milawa defenders Ellie Laffy and Jenna McIntyre dominated the defensive end of the court and capped off their dominance with a one-two finish in the B Reserve Medal count. Bright’s Kate Armstrong proved too strong around goals to cap off a great year in the shooting circle.
B Grade: Most Valuable Player: Jenna Brunner, Goorambat FNC and Hayley Cunningham, North Wangaratta FNC
Leading goal scorer: Sally Burgess, Benalla All Blacks FNC
Kath Dobson Medal, winner: Jessie Ellis, Benalla All Blacks FNC
Kath Dobson Medal, runner up: Sarah Mathews-Vincent, Milawa FNC
B Grade saw dual MVP’s in Jenna Brunner and Hayley Cunningham, while Benalla’s resurgence saw Sally Burgess take out the goal scoring and Jessie Ellis wrap up the Kath Dobson Medal in her first year of senior netball.
A Grade: WAW Credit Union Most Valuable Player: Ebony Allen, Whorouly FNC and Casey Brown, North Wangaratta FNC
Leading goal scorer: Sarah Bond, Tarrawingee FNC
Fay Morgan Medal, winner: Kyra Hunt, Milawa FNC
Fay Morgan Medal, runner up: Maddie Canning, Tarrawingee FNC
A grade saw Kyra Hunt take out her second Fay Morgan Medal, overtaking a fast starting Maddie Canning of Tarrawingee. MVP honours were again shared between Ebony Allen and Casey Brown, while Tarrawingee shooter Sarah Bond dominated in the circle for the Bulldogs in 2021.
FOOTBALL
Reserves: Most Valuable Player: Jamie Berry, North Wangaratta FNC, Damiun Cassidy, Greta FNC and Jack Stevenson, Milawa FNC
Leading Goal Kicker: Gene Marek, Whorouly FNC
Ross Schutt Medal, winner: Daniel Hogarth, Tarrawingee FNC
Ross Schutt Medal, runner up: Jack Stevenson, Milawa FNC
Tarrawingee’s Daniel Hogarth dominated for the Bulldogs all season and was a worthy winner of the Ross Schutt Medal, while Jack Stevenson of Milawa was runner up and one of three players named MVP for the reserves grade in 2021.
Seniors: Most Valuable Player: Ben Clarke, Milawa FNC
Leading Goal Kicker: Daniel Cassidy, Greta FNC
Clyde Baker Medal, winner: Sean Campitelli, Bonnie Doon FNC and Paul Harrison, Bright FNC
Clyde Baker Medal, runner up: Ben Clarke, Milawa FNC and Jackson Hourigan, Benalla All Blacks FNC
In a thrilling count, which saw Sean Campitelli of Bonnie Doon surge out to a comfortable lead early in the season, Bright FNC’s coach Paul Harrison dragged him back in the last four games of the season to see two winners crowned Clyde Baker Medallists in 2021.
The AFL North East Border (AFLNEB) LaTrobe University Junior Carnival celebrated its 18th year in 2025, continuing its proud tradition of showcasing emerging talent from across the region. The carnival provides junior footballers with a valuable opportunity to represent their league against strong opposition from neighbouring competitions. This year saw significant changes to the carnivals structure, with the Tallangatta and District Football Netball League and Hume Football League withdrawing from the Junior Carnival this year with both leagues facing off in an Interleague Match later this season. As such in 2025, we held four full matches between the Albury Wodonga Junior Football League (AWJFL) and Wangaratta & District Junior Football League (WDJFL) across 4 age groups – U13’s, U14’s, U15’s and U16’s. Held once again at the picturesque Lavington Sportsground, the event made full use of both ovals. With the sun shining and perfect playing conditions, the stage was set for an outstanding day of football. Match Results & Highlights U13s – Oval 2, 10:00 AM A thrilling opener saw the WDJFL control much of the play early, led by Tom Sealy and Jack Hart, and holding a narrow lead into the final term. However, a resilient AWJFL side, inspired by Best on Ground Ryder Pearce (Wodonga Raiders JFC), surged late to claim victory. Final Score: AWJFL 7.9 (51) def WDJFL 5.8 (38) U15s – Oval 1, 10:00 AM The AWJFL made the most of a first-quarter breeze to take an early lead, and despite a determined fightback from the WDJFL, they held on for a hard-fought win. Will Packer (Albury JFC) was instrumental and awarded Best on Ground honours. Final Score: AWJFL 7.8 (50) def WDJFL 5.5 (35) U14s – Oval 2, Midday This closely contested match saw multiple lead changes in the second half. Archie Knobel and Harris Bruneau were instrumental for the WDJFL. With pressure mounting in the final minutes, the AWJFL edged ahead with a goal after the siren, sealing a memorable 8-point win. Tom Toepfer (Albury JFC) was pivotal and named Best on Ground. Final Score: AWJFL 6.7 (43) def WDJFL 5.5 (35) U16s – Oval 1, Midday Featuring some of the region’s top junior talent, this match showcased high-level football. WDJFL started strongly, but AWJFL steadily worked their way back and dominated the second half. Blake Morgan (Albury JFC) delivered a standout performance to earn Best on Ground. Final Score: AWJFL 12.14 (86) def WDJFL 7.4 (46) Overall it was a fantastic day of football, with all but the U16’s match up for grabs until the final 5 to 10 minutes keeping everyone in attendance highly engaged. Zac Hedin, AFLNEB Region Manager, shared his thanks and reflections on the day: "On behalf of AFLNEB, I’d like to thank everyone involved in the 2025 AFLNEB LaTrobe University Junior Carnival. A special thank you goes to all the volunteers – coaches, team managers, trainers, runners, and first aiders – who make this event possible each year." "It was fantastic to see all games played in such great spirit. The conduct of players, coaches, and spectators was exemplary, and a credit to all involved. We look forward to seeing how these young players continue to develop through the 2025 season, and we hope to welcome many of you back in 2026." A big thanks to our AFLNEB Partners, in particular LaTrobe University, Hume Bank, the Commercial Club, Loco Apparel and APCO.
A huge congratulations to ALL 7 clubs from the AFLNEB region who’ve scored funding through Round 2 of the AFL’s Telstra Footy Country Grants! Across the first two rounds, 9 local clubs have shared over $18,000 to support their incredible initiatives and projects! This is a massive win for our community, and we’re proud to have played a small part in making it happen. We can’t wait to keep the momentum going and support even more clubs in the remaining two rounds this year! If your club is looking to make an application in the coming rounds please reach out to AFLNEB Club Development Lead, Chandan Kulkarni - chandan.kulkarni@aflneb.com.au More info - Telstra Footy Country Grants
The ultimate footy fundraiser is back for the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season and it’s your time to Raise Like A Legend! Toyota has been supporting grassroots clubs every step of the way since 2015. Last year, we helped raise $1,242,865 across 913 clubs. This year we want your footy club to be part of it. It’s free and easy, and Toyota provide the promotional tools so that anyone at your club can get involved, you’ll be smashing fundraising records in no time. For more info and to register your club, please follow the link here - Toyota Good For Footy Raffle
