Royals star Taylah Orzel has ambitions to play at a higher level after first GSFLW best and fairest honour

Outstanding Royals midfielder Taylah Orzel has ambitions to take her game to a higher level after winning her first Great Southern Football League Women’s best-and-fairest award on Monday night. Orzel prevailed in a thrilling finish to the 2022 vote count, as she held off a fast-finishing Kathryn Slattery to become the third Lion in five years to claim the GSFLW’s highest individual honour. The award caps a stellar couple of years for the talented Orzel since joining the football ranks, having last year won a premiership medallion and best-on-ground honours in the Lions’ grand final triumph. Orzel led by a single vote at the halfway mark of the count at Retravision Stadium and polled eight votes in the final five rounds to defeat Railways’ Slattery by a single vote. The 24-year-old played in the inaugural WA country women’s football team last year and hopes to test herself at a higher level. “I’m pretty proud of myself considering I’ve only been playing for two-and-a-half years,” she said. “What I’ve achieved in the last two years, I’m excited to see what the future holds. “Absolutely I’d look forward to (playing at a higher level) in the future. “I’m not sure if I’m ready just yet, but it’s definitely on the cards.” Going into the final round Orzel at worst would share the award as she led Slattery by three and the Tigers star collected two votes in her side’s win over Mt Barker. Despite Orzel not polling in the final round she finished with 18 votes to win the honour from Slattery (17 votes) and Denmark-Walpole ball winner Emma Henderson (11). Tigers’ Laura Cinanni and Lions’ Gracie Gibson rounded out the top five with seven votes. Orzel missed one game in the 10-round home and away season and joins Sophie McDonald (2018) and Kylie Douglas (2021) as Lions who have won the award. “To be honest I didn’t know what to expect,” Orzel said after the close count. “I thought I had a better second half of the season. “I’m just so grateful for winning, to be picked as best player is amazing with so many great girls out there with great talent. “I have a real passion for footy and being out there with the girls and having fun is what’s really important to me. “It’s good for the club to have another Royally win it and I was stoked Dougy presented it to me.” Tigers forward Kanisha Bennell won the leading goal kicker award, booting 23 goals in the regular season. The GSFLW best first-year player was awarded to Mt Barker’s Kaitlin Eades, who impressed through the middle of the ground for the Bulls. Awards from last year’s Nutrien Ag Country Football Championships were also presented with Orzel and Georgia Kowald joint winners of the best-and fairest-award with 51 votes. All Stars from the carnival were also recognised in Georgia and Sheridan Kowald, Laura Archer and Ksharna Coyne while Shelley McLennan won the team player award. GSFLW BEST AND FAIREST AWARD Taylah Orzel (Royals) 18 votes Kathryn Slattery (Railways) 17 Emma Henderson (Denmark-Walpole) 11 Laura Cinanni (Railways) 7 Gracie Gibson (Royals) 7 Ashleigh Needs (Denmark-Walpole) 6 Georgia Kowald (Mt Barker) 6 Laura Archer (North Albany) 6 Brittany Ward (North Albany) 5 Kanisha Bennell (Railways) 5