WARRNAMBOOL goal attack Jessica Smith and Cobden goal defence Jacinta Henriksen were opposed to each other three times during the season on the court but last night they were celebrating together.
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The pair produced the first tie in the five-year history of the Hampden league’s 14 and under netball best and fairest award, the McMeel Medal.
They finished on 19 votes, two clear of Terang Mortlake’s Briony Ziegelaar, who had led with two rounds remaining. But she went unnoticed by the umpires in her side’s final two games, both losses, as Jessica and Jacinta finished strongly.
A two-vote in the penultimate round put Jacinta two ahead of Jessica heading into the final round. Jessica then received three votes to Jacinta’s one as they finished deadlocked.
Jessica stormed home, finishing with three consecutive best-on-court performances. In all, she finished with five three-votes, one two and two ones.
Jacinta, who became the first Cobden player to win the award, polled in one more match, nine in total, receiving three best-on-court performances, three twos and three ones.
“I didn’t think I would go this good at all,” Jacinta said.
“I thought I would do all right, wasn’t expecting this.”
Jacinta, 14, is already looking forward to next year.
“I just want to keep playing on weekends and see where it takes me.”
Jessica, 13, was surprised to pick up the award.
“I thought I would just get a few votes, not too many,” she said.
Jessica has another year in the 14 and under age group after three years with the Blues.
The year 7 Emmanuel College student will line up in Sunday’s grand final for the Blues against an undefeated South Warrnambool combination.
Briony’s third-placed finish capped a successful first year with Terang Mortlake. The 14-year-old played a variety of positions including centre, goal shooter and a key defensive post.
