IT was a case of second time lucky for versatile South Warrnambool player Alice Carlin last night.
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A year after finishing second by two votes, Alice claimed the Hampden league’s 16 and under netball best and fairest award by the same margin.
“I’m really excited,” the 16-year-old said. “I’m shaking.”
Alice said she was shocked to win the award, saying she felt her performances in 2013 had been better.
“I didn’t have any expectations,” she said. “I didn’t think I went all that well.”
She said when the votes started to tally up, her expectations rose.
An unsettled year on the court contributed to her low expectations. She played at goal attack last year but in 2014 a lack of defenders meant she floated between goal attack and goal defence.
Just as she settled into goal defence, the Roosters suffered multiple injuries. Her younger sister Rosie, a goal shooter, is sidelined with a knee complaint, while centre Laura Keert has had a knee reconstruction after going down in the final home-and-away match.
Alice returned to goal attack for the finals and will line up there again on Sunday in the grand final against Warrnambool.
In a tense count, one vote separated Alice, Warrnambool’s Natasha Turland-Rhook and Cobden goalie Hannah McGlade with two rounds remaining. Alice and Natasha had 17 votes each while Hannah was on 16.
Alice polled two votes in the penultimate round to grab the lead after her closest rivals both missed out on votes.
She closed out the win with a one vote in the final game, while Hannah polled a two to grab second, one ahead of Natasha.
Alice polled in 10 games out of her side’s 12 matches for the season, including three best-on-court performances, four twos and three ones.
Hannah, who will move up to 17 and unders next year, was excited with her success after a steady season.
