With the home and away season almost completed we take a look at who has the led the Gippsland League for the Trood Medal & Rodda Award and the Hutchinson Medal.
FOOTBALL:
Ryan Sparkes - Wonthaggi
Team Rank: 1
MVP Rank: 1
Key Stats: 32 disposals, 7.1 inside 50s, 6.9 clearances
Looks to be Power’s main man through the middle. Was a runaway leader of the MVP until he missed football after a concussion but still looks locked in to claim the award even with matches to play. Get’s plenty of the football and leads the league with 100 inside 50’s so far in 2023. Be tough to go past Sparkes as one of the top chances for the League medal.
Aaron Heppell - Leongatha
Team Rank: 2
MVP Rank: 2
Key Stats: 29.7 disposals, 1.5 goals, 5.3 tackles
Flip of a coin with Marriott as Leongatha’ s leading chance. By the numbers Heppell has been one of the best in the competition in a dominant team. Top 10 in clearances, disposals, contested possessions and tackles. Heppell has also hit the scoreboard with 23 goals.
Declan Keilty - Moe
Team Rank: 3
MVP Rank: 13
Key Stats: 12.1 disposals 4.1 I marks 6.2 marks
Sitting 3rd in the list of Moe’s MVP chances but will likely be there top chance come vote count night. Marks everything that comes his way and has returned to full fitness in 2023. Will catch the eyes of the umpires with his disposal off half back also elite.
Brett Eddy - Traralgon
Team Rank: 4
MVP Rank: 13
Key Stats: 12.1 disposals 4.1 I marks 6.2 marks
The leading goal kicker after 15 rounds should be the Maroons leading chance at the medal. Having nearly 6.5 shots per game and taking 5 marks a game inside 50 will stand out. Should be locked in for 3 votes in several games including his 11 against Drouin.
Shannen Lange - Sale
Team Rank: 5
MVP Rank: 4
Key Stats: 28.7 disposals 1.6 goals 6.3 clearances
Arguably the best player in the competition, Lange had a slower start to the year but is coming with a bang. Has been racking up disposals and goals in recent weeks. The 2021 winner was also top 5 in 2022. Will Sale’s late season form help his chances at a second medal?
Tom Marriott - Leongatha
Team Rank: 2
MVP Rank: 9
Key Stats: 25.4 disposals 5 clearances 5.3 I50
Last years League medal winner is a constant threat to take home best on field honors. Wins the ball under the umpires nose and has a track record. Has nearly averaged a goal a game in 2023 and is another one that may have started off slow but has built another fine season.
Riley Baldi - Moe
Team Rank: 3
MVP Rank: 3
Key Stats: 25.4 disposals 5 clearances 5.3 I50
Jack McLaren - Sale
Team Rank: 5
MVP Rank:
Key Stats: 26.3 disposals 8.6 clearances 4.2 tackles
Huge impact from Sale’s number 5. Ranks up there in several key areas including top 10 in disposals, clearances, contested possession and inside 50’s. Has been noticed by the coaches and sits 4th in the MVP race.
Cade Maskell - Leongatha
Team Rank: 2
MVP Rank: 6
Key Stats: 27.6 disposals 8.5 marks 4.9 I marks
Jack Blair - Wonthaggi
Team Rank: 1
MVP Rank: 13
Key Stats: 19.6 disposals 6.1 marks 3.5 I50’s
Made the move to half back at stages in the second half of the year and has returned to top form. His last 6 weeks have been electric and we know that he polls well in the award. Expect Blair along with defender Kyle Reid to be Wonthaggi’ s other main chances in the League medal
Keep an eye on: Using the MVP and form as a guide has naturally come up with players from the top teams however there are several other players that could feature prominently with their form so far with the likes of Boyd Bailey – Morwell, Brayden Monk/Daniel Bedggood – Maffra, Will Mitchell/Logan Austin – Bairnsdale, Ben Daniher – Moe, Tye Hourigan- Traralgon
NETBALL:
Tanya Budge - Morwell
Team Rank: 2
MVP Rank: 1
Leads the MVP and if 2022 is anything to go by it is a good form line. The defender hasn’t missed a beat and with Garth and Solomon makes the best defensive combination in the competition.
Ramayer Gourley - Moe
Team Rank: 2
MVP Rank: 2
A runaway winner of the Shooting Star award after the first 15 weeks. Sits 2nd in the MVP and will be a big chance come seasons end. Goal Shooters haven’t polled as well in recent years so it will be interesting to see if Gourley can buck the trend and push for the League medal.
Taylah Brown - Leongatha
Team Rank: 3
MVP Rank: 15
Not the top ranked Parrot in the MVP but has had a big impact on games. A lot of work goes un noticed but is a key player to their winning season. Polled well in 2022 along with Nicola Marriott and Hannah Flanders. Traditionally the Leongatha players poll well and we back our top pick in the Top 25 this year to be a good chance in the League medal
Sienna Green - Warragul
Team Rank: 5
MVP Rank: 6
Green or Renee Cook will be the main chances for the Gulls. Green is eye catching through the middle of the court and fly’s around each week. Sitting well ranked in the MVP the 2022 rookie of the year will be looking forward to a maiden finals series.
Karina Proctor - Drouin
Team Rank: 4
MVP Rank: 18
The Hawks have been an even team across the board and this spot could go to anyone either Gaul, McKellar or Diston. We gave the nod to Karina with her work in and around the goals vital in several wins
Claire Marks - Morwell
Team Rank: 2
MVP Rank: 3
Has been dominant in the ring for the Tiger’s in 2023. With Daisy Hill missing games, Marks has stepped up and sits 2nd in the Shooting Star award and has the benefit of roaming the court at goal attack for a lot of the year. Another BOC in round 16 she is a big chance to challenge.
Renee Cook - Warragul
Team Rank: 5
MVP Rank: 4
The 2018 League medalist also had a top 5 finish in 2022. A standout player with her height and skill set. Cook has spent time in goals in 2023 which will be interesting to se if it translates to League votes.
Georgia Moody - Moe
Team Rank: 1
MVP Rank: 12
With Moe being the leading team in 2023 one would expect multiple players to feature prominently. Moody gets the nod on our list over sister Alex and Olivia Barnett. Does a lot of work up the court and is eye catching as a player. Expect to poll well in 2023.
Bron Tebb - Traralgon
Team Rank: 7
MVP Rank: 5
Tebb sits 5th in the MVP and has been a standout for the Maroons. Traralgon probably won’t win enough games but she should poll well in their wins. Tall defender that featured in the All Star game she will be eye catching for the umpires.
An outside chance? : Outside the top MVP players there are a host of players we think could poll well for their teams with their form so far with the likes of Kate Browne/Nicola Marriott- Leongatha, Olivia Barnett/Alex Moody – Moe, Courtney Garth – Morwell, Ava Gaul, Lucy McKellar- Drouin, Dee Dee Lambert – Sale, Sally Dellar – Bairnsdale.
