INVERLOCH-Kongwak’s Renee Pilkington has claimed her third West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) A Grade best and fairest award, not bad considering there have only been six such honours awarded.
She shared the award, on 28 votes, with Korumburra-Bena defender Gemma Dixon, who continued the tradition of Giants’ players at the top of the competition.
Pilkington has dominated the West Gippsland competition, since it was reformed in 2017, winning in 2019, 2022 and now in 2023.
Dixon follows Christie Hillberg and Kimberley Hillberg who won for Korumburra-Bena in 2017 and 2021.
Gemma Dixon led by three votes going into the last round but Pilkington captured three votes in the Sea Eagles win over Phillip Island in round 18 to join Dixon at the top of the leaderboard.
The top 10 vote-getters in A Grade were Gemma Dixon (KBG) 28, Renee Pilkington (IK) 28, Talia Charalambides (KWR) 27, Ashlee Murphy (KWR) 25, Lanni Pryor (IK) 25, Kelsey Buxton 27, Meaghan Winter (NNG) 17 and Dalyston trio Britt Thomas (16), Chloe Bramley (15) and Alana McRae (15).
The top-seven placegetters were also all selected in the 2023 WGFNC Team of the Year.
Top vote-getters in each grade: A Grade: Gemma Dixon Korumburra Bena 28, Renee Pilkington Inverloch Kongwak 28, Talia Charalambides Kooweerup 27, Lanni Pryor Inverloch Kongwak 25, Kelsey Buxton Inverloch Kongwak 25.
Other grades: B Grade Brooke Weatherhead Warragul Industrials 41. C Grade Oona Shepherd Dalyston 35. D Grade Prue Hansen Nar Nar Goon 32, 17 Under Lily Mewett Phillip Island 37. 15 Under Miley Schade Cora Lynn 34. 13 Under Brilee Howes Tooradin-Dalmore 41, 11 Under Arlow Hallinan Tooradin-Dalmore 37.
