Season 2024 celebrated by Pigeons

2024 was a year which saw 4 of the 5 of the open aged teams contend finals, with two making it to the Grand Final.

From there an all-conquering A Grade side avenged their 2023 overtime loss to the Raiders in the Preliminary Final to take out their 10th A Grade flag.

It was also the inaugural season of the Yarrawonga Masters; an initiative driven by Ben Douglass which has made a significant impact upon the club bringing in new families and also providing a link for families to return home the Pigeons.

There were many special award winners, but none more popular than the addition to the Best Club Person of the Year John Dempsey List (and in a break from tradition) the award went to the Pendergast Family.

The family’s long-standing contribution to the club is in all facets: junior games, bartending, training roles, afternoon teas to line marking or the timekeepers box.

The Godfather’s award was also jointly awarded with Leigh Masters and Matt O’Dwyer sharing the honour. Their roles in helping to develop the Under 18 program, along with Kate Forge as their team manager, has been a significant undertaking and one the club recognised on the night.

In 2023 the club also introduced a new award to recognise the contribution of Franc Vodusek, with an award struck for one footballer and netballer that has demonstrated commitment to their sport and the club over their journey and through their on-field performances significantly impacted the YFNC.

In 2024 the awards were taken out by Kaleisha Pell and Ned Pendergast.

On the football field, Mitch Parker took home the award for the Thirds and Reid Clarke the Reserves from Jess Koopman.

The seniors was a tight affair with Harry Wheeler narrowly pipping 1st year star Perry Lewis-Smith for the CT Runnalls Trophy, the latter taking out the Chronicle Award though.

In the netball, the Tracey Gillies medal was won by ever-green super star defender, Kylie Leslie. She was closely followed by rising star goaler, Kaleisha Pell.

The B-Grade was taken out by another ever-green defender Liv Lovell who pipped another experienced player in Alisha O’Dwyer (who last year was the winner of the C Grade award). Kirby Holmquest took out the C Grade from a super improved Tilly Jaques, with Emma Thompson and Winnie Heffernan winning the 17s and 15s respectively.

Seniors

CT Runnalls Trophy (Best & Fairest) - Harry Wheeler.

Runner Up - Perry Lewis-Smith.

Jamie Smyth Award - Lach Howe.

Chronicle Award - Perry Lewis-Smith.

Rising Star - Ben Coghill.

Best In Finals - Mick Gibbons.

Reserves

Best & Fairest - Reid Clarke.

Runners Up - Jess Koopman.

Most Valuable - Will Robinson.

Coaches Award - Geoff Montgomery.

Thirds

Best & Fairest – Mitch Parker.

Runner Up - Zac Forge.

Most Improved - Tyrone Baxter.

Most Consistent - Lucas Eales.

Rising Star - Seth Johnson.

Coaches Award - Jack Eales.

Masters

Best & Fairest - 35s - Gareth Oughton.

Best & Fairest - 45s - Duane Kelly.

Runners Up - 35s - Hayden Long.

Runners Up - 45s - Peter Beasley.

Coaches Award - 35s - Dustin Sugden.

Coaches Award - 45s -Wayne Foster.

Spirit Of Masters - Ben Douglass.

Godfathers Award: Leigh Masters and Matthew O’Dwyer.

John Dempsey Award Best Club Person: Pendergast Family.

Franc Vodusek Player Awards

Netball Award - Kaleisha Pell.

Football Award - Ned Pendergast.

NETBALL

Malcolm Browning Netball Awards

Most Accurate: Briar Rodaughan.

Most Goals: Matilda Jaques.

A Grade

Tracey Gillies Medal (Best & Fairest) - Kylie Leslie.

Runners Up - Kaleisha Pell.

Most Consistent - Gemma Muldoon.

Best In Finals - Laura Irvine.

B Grade

Best & Fairest – Liv Lovell.

Most Consistent - Grace Stillard.

Runner Up - Alisha Leslie.

C Grade

Best & Fairest - Kirby Holmquest.

Runner Up - Matilda Jaques.

Most Consistent - Grace Eales.

Under 17s

Best & Fairest - Emma Thompson.

Runner Up - Milla Fletcher.

Coaches Award - Mia Wheaton.

Under 15s

Best & Fairest - Winnie Heffernan.

Runner Up - Ruby O’Kane.

Most Consistent - Emily Liddell.

.