SWFL: Busselton star Mitch Tenardi wins league player of the year and media player of the year awards

Busselton’s Mitch Tenardi was beaten to the Hayward Medal but did claim a pair of awards on Friday night, winning the coach-voted league player of the year and media player of the year honours. The women’s League Player of the Year was split between Harvey Bulls pair Rachel Wright and Trinity Brown, who regularly attracted maximum votes as the minor premier Bulls won 15 of their 16 home and away games. The South Western Times Medal for the reserves competition was won by HBL’s James Strano, with Player of the Year going to Carey Park’s Blake Helgeland. In the colts, Carey Park’s Nic Le Roux won the Dale Alcock Homes Medal and Eaton’s Jack Vitali claimed the Player of the Year award. South Bunbury ruckman William Pedley was rewarded for his strong season with the Men’s Rising Star award, with the Women’s Rising Star won by Bunbury defender Melinda Bobby. Bunbury spearheads Joel Houghton (league) and Daisy Rigby (women’s) were officially recognised as their competition’s leading goal-kickers with 75 and 40 majors respectively in the home and away season. South Bunbury’s Morgan Lane led the reserves in goal-kicking for the third straight year, while Busselton’s Tienen Murphy and Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault’s Rohan Grout tied as the most prolific players in the colts. The Champion Club Award was won by South Bunbury, who have made both the league and reserves grand finals, but exited the women’s final at the semifinal stage. Former league general manager John Vidos and long-time Bunbury and SWFL volunteer Bob Hislop were honoured with life membership of the league.