Congratulations to our June nominees for the AGA Rookie of the Year Award:
Football nomination - Clayton Kingi (Drouin)
June nominee for the AGA Football Rookie of the Year Award, Clayton Kingi, is on track to be a future leader of the Drouin Football Club.
The 18-year-old has not only impressed at senior level this season, but led by example when he captained the league’s under-18 representative team to victory at the recent Evans Petroleum Cup.
After being named among the best in the win against North Gippsland, Kingi was best-on-ground in the win against Alberton and named Gippsland League’s player-of-the-carnival.
Kingi hit the ground running this year, averaging a-goal-a-game through the first five games of the season, before being sent back to the thirds side to help him manage with the rigours of senior football.The gutsy on-baller made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in late 2014, but injuries limited his opportunities in 2015.
Drouin senior coach Bob McCallum said Kingi’s uncompromising attack on the footy and willingness to play a role made him an important member of the senior squad.
“He’s not blessed with a super-strong body, but that doesn’t faze him. He’s had a few broken bones in recent years and it’s testament to him that he continually performs the way he does,” McCallum said.
“Often it’s hard for a kid to do what they do in the thirds at a higher level, so even though he’s an on-baller for the under 18s, we’ve played him in the forward pocket or on a wing and he’s done well.”
Along with his performances for the interleague team, Kingi has been among the best in three of his last four games for the Hawks’ thirds to press his claims for a senior recall, which is unlikely to be too far away.
Netball nomination - Eliza Osborn (Maffra)
When TRFM Gippsland League representative netballer Brianna Dignan went down with injury in round one, Maffra was left with a big hole to fill.
Step forward Eliza Osborn, who has been thrown in the deep end in her first full season of senior netball, but grabbed her opportunity with both hands.
Despite her limited A-grade experience, the -year-old has been an important contributor in the key position for the finals-hungry Eagles.
Maffra vice-president and Osborn’s A-grade teammate Julia Hibma said the young goaler’s commitment was key to her successful adaptation to the next level.
“Eliza is always at training and has taken on a big role in our team,” Hibma said.
“She’s very athletic and a bit understated, but has really stepped up for us.”“She has a bit of a basketball style about her and has typical smarts with screening and setting up play.
Currently in her second season since joining Maffra from Sale City, Osborn continues to develop her skills as a goal shooter or goal attack and has a key role to play as the Eagles push for a top five finish.
Photo: Gippsland Times
2016 NOMINEES
April:
Ben Dessent (Sale)
Chiara Mulqueen (Warragul)
May:
Liam Giove (Bairnsdale)
Casey Sherriff (Morwell)
June:
Clayton Kingi (Drouin)
Eliza Osborn (Maffra)
Last Modified on 25/07/2016 12:19