Tara Murray
It was thrillers in both the Essendon District Football League men’s and women’s division 1 best and fairest awards.
The counts in both awards went down to the final round, with several players in contention to the end.
In the men’s competition, it was Airport West’s Nikola Hrkac who took home the W. Hutchison Medal on 15 votes.
East Keilor’s Victor Micallef finished second on 13 votes. Micallef had previously won the award in 2016 with his brother James while both were playing at Hillside.
Roxburgh Park’s Jack Elliott finished third on 12 votes.
East Keilor’s Tim Bongetti, Sunbury Kangaroos’ Scott Bedford, West Coburg’s Thomas Drake and Tullamarine’s Anthony Liberatore rounded out the top five.
The division 1 men’s team of the year was dominated by East Keilor players, with eight making the final team.
Outgoing coach Pat Christofi was named coach of the year.
In the division 1 women’s best and fairest, it was Strathmore’s Ciara Toperosa who took home the medal.
Toperosa polled three votes in the final round to finish on 22 votes, three clear of the Sunbury Lions’ Terira Fry.
Gisborne’s Claire Bourdon finished in third on 17 votes.
The win for Toperosa despite only being named on the bench in the team of the year. She was one of eight Strathmore players to make the team.
Bourdon was also named captain of the division 1 team of the year. Gisborne coach Jason Peak was named coach of the year
