Port Fairy’s Sarah Moroney polled 35 votes to claim the 17 and under best-and-fairest award.
PORT Fairy’s Sarah Moroney has made a habit of winning league best-and-fairest awards.
The humble teenager won the Hampden league’s 17 and under netball best-and-fairest last night, making it a hat-trick of league titles.
The win backed up Sarah’s 2011 triumph, while she also won the 15 and under league honour in 2010.
Sarah polled 35 votes and was a clear winner from Terang Mortlake’s Ailish Glennen on 26 votes.
Equal third was Warrnambool’s Kelsey Perry and Koroit’s Rachel Dobson with 21 votes apiece.
Sarah polled in 15 of 18 games and was named best on court eight times.
The Seagulls defender said the result surprised her.
“I reckon it wasn’t one of my strongest seasons out of the ones I have won the best-and-fairest,” she said.
It was a hectic season for Sarah.
She combined 17 and under and A grade netball with Port Fairy and played for Victorian Netball League (VNL) club Geelong Cougars in the 19 and under competition.
“I played for Geelong this season and last season and it gave me a lot more confidence for when I came back here,” Sarah said.
“It is a big step up with travel and training commitments.”
With year 12 at Emmanuel College next year a priority, Sarah, who wants to study paramedics or nursing, will have 12 months off from the VNL.
Sarah, whose sister Rebekah has also won a Hampden league junior best-and-fairest, said she prided herself on her leadership on the court.
“I can read the play a bit and I like to encourage the girls a lot,” she said. Sarah has the chance to add more silverware to her collection in the coming weeks.
Port Fairy plays Terang Mortlake in the 17 and under first semi-final on Sunday and Sarah and runner-up Ailish will be on opposing teams. “We finished third and it’s pretty even between the teams,” Sarah said. “With the elimination final this weekend it’s do or die.”
justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au