Field is wide open for netball's best

MID-COURT dynamo Elisha Carter struggles to nominate a standout for the Hampden league A grade netball best and fairest award.The 2008 joint winner rates North Warrnambool Eagles teammate Jo Jenkins highly but concedes her judgement is influenced by playing alongside the young defender.Jenkins, who plays at goal defence and wing defence, finished runner-up last season, two votes behind Carter and Cobden's Emma Beks. ``Jo has been real consistent all season,'' Carter said ahead of tomorrow's vote count in Warrnambool.The Eagles captain has also tried to step up her on-court leadership, conscious that at 25 she is the oldest player in a young side.One of the youngest is 16-year-old goal shooter Laura Blackburn, who already has winning form in under-age best and fairest awards.Carter rates defenders Madison Smedts, North, and Sam Holt, Warrnambool, but questions whether they played enough games to feature.Other Warrnambool contenders are wing defence Emily-Rose Finnigan and goalers Amy Wormald and Danielle McLeod.Minor premier Koroit should draw the lion's share of the votes, headed by defender Carley Thomas and centre Kate Dobson. Centre Siobhan Sefton and shooter Hayley Plozza rate highly for Terang Mortlake, along with wing defence Belinda O'Connor.The leadership qualities of Camperdown playing coach Leah Sinnott are likely to be acknowledged by umpires, while goal attack Chelesea Snibson could figure.Chances from other clubs are Natalie Hinkley, Cobden; Liz Byrne, Nicole Butler, South Warrnambool; and Nicole Bourke, Port Fairy.Carter offered the last word on award speculation: ``I think it's up in the air this season, a bit like last year.''