Grovedale’s Janessa FitzGerald is the toast of women’s football in the region.
Last (Wednesday) night, the Tiger ruck was named AFL Barwon’s Division 1 best-and-fairest, claiming the award by one vote (19) from Thomson star Phoebe Monahan (18).
FitzGerald says she’s been able to develop her game in recent years and become a more rounded player.
“After playing for the past few seasons, I feel like I’m becoming more rounded of a player,” she said.
“Not just in my ruck work, but in the way I play around the ground.”
Grovedale faces Geelong Amateur in this week’s grand final, with Fitzgerald saying that’s her priority.
“It’s just the beginning of the week,” she says.
“All eyes are on the flag. Hopefully, all the girls can get together, and we can get that.”
FitzGerald was one of five Grovedale guns named in the Team of the Year, with Tigers duo Paul Price and Taylah Hassett sharing coaching honours.
South Barwon’s Elara Dillon (19) claimed top honours by a vote from St Joseph’s Paris Stokes (18) in the Division 2 medal count, while
Grand finalists Modewarre took first and second in the Division 3 award, with Monique Martin (14) claiming the top honour ahead of teammate Clodagh Newton on 13.
Newtown and Chilwell young gun Jayde Morrissy (14) took out the under-19 medal from teammate Belle Fletcher (13).
The under-19 grand final between St Joseph’s and St Mary’s will be played at Newcomb’s Grinter Reserve on Friday night.
The three senior division grand finals will be played at Lara on Sunday.
Modewarre and Belmont Lions meet in the Division 3 decider, Anglesea and St Joseph’s do battle in Division 2, and Grovedale will aim to end Geelong Amateur’s dreams of a hat-trick of premierships in Division 1.
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