NEWLY crowned WDFNL A grade best and fairest winner Mandy Condon was slightly nervous making her way onto the stage to accept her award at the Esam Medal on last Monday night. And not just because she was about to front a packed City Memorial Bowls Club. The Bulldogs mid-courter was worried about Matty Stewart, who was not only MC for the night but also her boss at the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery. “I had no idea what he was going to say about me,” she said. She had nothing to worry about as he simply congratulated his employee on her award. While on stage, Condon offered some advice to Sunday’s first semi-final opponent South Rovers. After saying that she expected last weekend’s contest to be tough, she turned to her left and offered some encouragement to the Lions’ table : “So drink up girls”. It didn’t take long for anyone to track down both Condon and Esam medallist Jye Bidmade to congratulate the Panmure pair on their awards. The night’s two major winners coincidentally sat next to each other during the presentation.

HAMPDEN League chief executive officer Stephen Soulsby is optimistic that the panel umpiring system will operate unchanged next season. Soulsby said for six matches this year, clubs had to supply their own umpires. He attributed it to injuries and unavailability. As expected, all finals matches will be officiated by panel umpires.

ALLANSFORD’S Liz Byrne received the A grade netball’s most valuable player award on last Monday night, which is voted on by coaches. Cats newcomer Byrne featured on the leaderboard until the award became confidential midway through the season. Team awards on Monday night went to Nirranda (A grade), Old Collegians (A reserve) and Merrivale (B grade).

KOROIT coach Kate Dobson laughed last Sunday when told that fellow Hampden league veteran Jacqui Bowman labelled the Saints the premiership favourites. It came after Koroit had strung together successive victories against the competition’s top two sides, Camperdown and Warrnambool. “I can just imagine her saying that,” Dobson said after hearing Bowman’s opinion. “To win by seven and 11 against those two sides is great for our self-belief but they are results which can be easily turned around.”

WARRNAMBOOL City Netball Association is holding an introduction to umpiring course on Wednesday. Association president Amelia Smith said it was ideal for umpires who were looking to increase their understanding of the rules. The course is at the stadium from 6pm. Anyone interested in attending the course or finding out more information should contact Smith on 5562 4868.