EGFNL crowns its 2026 stars

Lindenow midfielder David Donchi has put together a superb season to take out the East Gippsland Football Netball League best and fairest award.

Donchi, one of the architects of a resurgence from the Cats this season, finished the home and away season with an impressive 33 votes.

Boisdale Briagolong star Ben Brunt finished second with 20 votes.

Lindenow’s Peter Harrison confirmed victory in the goal kicking in the final round, finishing the season with an impressive 61 goals.

Competition stars, Hayley Escudero (Lucknow) and Caitlin Wright (Wy Yung) were again at the pointy end of the voting in “A” grade with Escudero winning this year by three votes.

Trade awards winners were Lakes Entrance’s Mitch Banner (football) and Lindenow’s Renee Egan (netball).

Boisdale Briagolong senior co-coach, Sam Bedggood easily won the reserves best and fairest with 32 votes, with Lakes Entrance full forward Noah Bottom finishing second with 19 votes.

Bottom finished second in the goal kicking to Boisdale Briagolong’s Luke Pratt who kicked 105 goals in the home and away season.

Tegan Benedetti (Lucknow) was a runaway winner in “B” grade with 33 votes, finishing 13 in front of Stratford’s Paris Toner.

Chloe Orchard (Boisdale Briagolong) was the “C” grade winner, Lucknow’s Bess Smith-Entink finishing runner-up.

Boisdale Briagolong’s Shelby Hardeman was an easy winner of the “D” grade best and fairest, her 27 votes enabling an 11-vote win over Wy Yung’s Lorren Cole.

Lakes Entrance’s Thomas Graham was rewarded for his outstanding season, a runaway winner in the thirds best and fairest.

Graham polled 30 votes, finishing 11 ahead of a three-way tie between Daniel Martin (Orbost Snowy Rovers), Leroy Hayes (Lakes Entrance) and Titus Harrison (Lindenow).

Hayes didn’t go home empty handed, winning both the Bert Williamson Spirit of Football and the rising star award.

Stratford’s Monty Mayman took out the goal kicking with 54 goals.

Orbost Snowy Rovers were the competition’s spirit of sport most disciplined club for the season and their coach Sean Nippress winning the spirit of sport and thirds coach of the year.

The spirit of sport, junior umpire of the year was Liam Kool.

Orbost Snowy Rovers 17 and under star, Lara Seal, who has also impressed at senior level this season, finished the season strongly to win the best and fairest award by eight votes from Lucknow’s Heidi Trinder.

Stratford’s Mikayla Pendrick who was prominent in the count, was the winner of the rising star award.

Lucknow 15 and under star, Claire Bryan was rewarded for her outstanding season, taking out the best and fairest award with 31 votes, just two ahead of Wy Yung’s Indi Cavanagh.

The much sought after Nesta Owen Spirit of Sport Award was awarded to Lakes Entrance’s Charlotte Richardson.

It capped off a huge weekend for Richardson, who was awarded best on ground last week in the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club youth girls premiership win.

Boisdale Briagolong’s Georgia Robinson won a thrilling 13 and under award, victorious by three votes from Wy Yung’s Ellen Hill.

Volunteer of the year awards were presented to Ray Adams (Boisdale Briagolong), Marc Taylor (Lucknow), Kirby Harmer (Paynesville) and Karen Telling (Stratford), while the Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club was presented the most disciplined club award for 2026.

Sam Bedggood (Boisdale Briagolong) was the winner of the reserves best and fairest, finishing 13 votes ahead of Lakes Entrance full forward Noah Bottom. (PS)

Lucknow’s Tegan Benedetti was a runaway winner of the “B” grade best and fairest, finishing 13 votes ahead of Stratford’s Paris Toner. (PS)

Boisdale Briagolong’s Chloe Orchard triumphed in “C” grade, with Lucknow’s Bess Smith-Entink finishing second. (PS)

Boisdale Briagolong’s Shelby Hardeman took out the “D” award, but wasn’t in attendance, Wy Yung’s Lorren Cole was a reluctant runner-up. (PS)

Leroy Hayes from Lakes Entrance was a worthy winner of the thirds rising star award. (PS)

Stratford full forward, Monty Mayman took out the thirds goal kicking with 54 goals. (PS)

Daniel Martin (Orbost Snowy Rovers), Titus Harrison (Lindenow) and Leroy Hayes (Lakes Entrance) were all tied for the runners-up award in the thirds football. (PS)

Lakes Entrance’s Thomas Graham was the winner of the thirds best and fairest by a massive 11 votes, the leaders board cluttered behind him. (PS)

The rising star award in the 17 and under was Stratford’s Makayla Pendrick. (PS)

Orbost Snowy Rovers Lara Seal came out on top of a spirited battle for the 17 and under netball, with Lucknow’s Heidi Trinder runner-up. (PS)

Lindenow forward Peter Harrison was the winner of the senior goal kicking with 61 goals. (PS)

The much sought after Nesta Owen Spirit of Sport Award was won by Lakes Entrance youngster, Charlotte Richardson. (PS)

Lucknow’s Claire Bryan was all smiles after winning the 15 and under best and fairest, with Wy Yung’s Indi Cavanagh runner-up. (PS)

Boisdale Briagolong’s Georgia Robinson got one of the biggest ovations on the night when presented the 13 and under best and fairest, with Wy Yung’s Ellen Hill runner-up.

The senior trade awards are always keenly sought after, with this year’s winners were Lakes Entrance’s Mitch Banner (football) and Lindenow’s Renee Egan (netball). The awards were presented by Adrian Chila. (PS)