North Ballarat City’s Melina Ciavarella was a runaway winner of the best and fairest award in Ballarat Football League Youth Under-18 Girls competition, after accumulating 25 votes at the female football presentation at Tabcorp Park on Friday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ciavarella was runner-up in the same category last year but did one better this season.
In a reversal of positions, 2017 winner Sophie Molan from Lake Wendouree secured the runner-up trophy with 16 votes.
Molan was one vote ahead of Lakers teammate Tahlier Meier in third on 15 votes.
Ciavarella polled in 10 of 14 rounds, but the feat was even more impressive considering she only played in 11 games.
The North City rover boasted six best on ground performances.
“It’s quite exciting,” the 15-year-old said. “I wasn’t really expecting it, but I’m happy about it.
“I enjoyed my season because I love playing with my teammates. They make it so much more fun.”
This season marked her second year playing football.
Gisborne’s Jessica D’Antonio has claimed the best and fairest award in AFL Goldfields Women’s Competition, polling 20 votes.
Before this season, D’Antonio had only played three football games, but had competed in netball at state level.
D’Antonio polled in nine of the 14 round season and despite not picking up any votes in the final two rounds, she had done enough early to finish four votes ahead of joint runners-up Melton Centrals’ Rachael Jackson and Redan’s Lori Stepnell, who finished on 16 votes.
The Gisborne player had four best on ground performances from the 12 games she played and kicked 18 goals for the season.
While D’Antonio did not attend the awards, her coach Anthony Carrigg received the prize on her behalf.
Carrigg described D’Antonio as a player who was known for her hard work, dedication and determination.
“She has been a stand out every week,” he said.
“From the second game she played, she had teams tagging her and that, which is not good for her but just shows what a player she is.”
The top five was hotly contested with Emily Crawford (Bacchus Marsh), Rebecca Fisher (Lake Wendouree) and Claire Bourdon (East Point) tied in third.
Meanwhile, Sunbury’s Abbey McDonald’s dominant season has earned her the Riddell District Football League Youth Under-18 Girls best and fairest award.
McDonald finished with 26 votes, eight ahead of Melton Centrals’ runner-up Emmerson Hitch, and polled in nine of the 12 games she played this season. She was deemed best player on the ground eight times.
The midfielder said she loved the atmosphere of the club and playing with her teammates. McDonald said she was not even expecting to make top five and felt overwhelmed by the award.
Elite star shares experiences with future players
Melbourne AFL Women’s player Karen Paxman was guest speaker at AFL Goldfield’s Female Football presentation night on Friday.
The midfielder started playing football at 16 and won a premiership and league best and fairest award in her first year.
Despite playing for the Western Bulldogs in the early exhibition matches, Paxman was signed with Melbourne as a priority player ahead of the inaugural AFL Women’s season in 2017.
She achieved prestigious All-Australian selection in both 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Paxman shared her experiences at the elite level with the room full of Ballarat’s aspiring female players before answering questions.
She said if she had known there would be a AFL Women’s league in the future, she would have started playing the game a lot earlier.
Paxman also spoke about finding life balance.
“There are sacrifices you have to make,” Paxman said.
“You do have to juggle things around. I’m studying, working and training so there are times you have to pick and choose.”