Park duo claim fairest and best awards

Spencer Park duo Elsa Piggott and Sam Brown have been rewarded for their exceptional performances in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association this season after claiming the women’s A-grade and men’s A-grade fairest and best awards respectively.

The competition’s top individual honours were announced at the completion of last Saturday’s grand final, with Piggott finishing strongly to narrowly win her maiden women’s A-grade gong.

Piggott’s form in the second half of the year was brilliant as she dominated at centre-half and played key roles in several of Park’s victories.

In an exciting finish, Piggott collected 19 votes to hold off North Albany midfielder Beck Gallimore by one vote, while Redbacks youngster Sophie McDonald recorded her best result since playing in the A-grade ranks to finish in third on 16.

Tigers star Georgina Lilford, who has also shone throughout the year, was the only other player to reach double figures with 14 votes.

Young Tigers forward Cionne Fage, along with former winner and Redbacks veteran Tracey Menegola, polled nine votes to finish just ahead of 2014 winner Annie Judd (eight votes) and multiple former winner Renae Parsons (eight).

Next best were Emma Pyle, Renae Hordyk, Chloe Westerberg and Georgie Powis, who all polled 6 votes.

It’s Piggott’s first fairest and best award after finishing runner-up to Kelly Burlikowski in 2011.

Brown was recognised for his superb debut season in the LGSHA playing a vital role in Park’s rise up the ladder.

The skilful midfielder polled regularly during the 18 rounds to finish with 26 in total and edge out Peaks standout Reece Curwen, who collected 20.

As expected, Peaks midfielder David Pyle was also prominent, finishing in third with 17 votes.

Despite the Tigers winning only two games in the regular season, goalkeeper Heath Cremasco was rewarded for several strong showings on the last line to tally 12 votes and Redbacks’ Charlie Moir polled 11.

Next best in the count were Kieran Howie and Jamie Chester (8), Riley Scott, Dan Smith, Jack Williamson, Karel Cronje and Henry Marsh (7).

The women’s B-grade fairest and best award was won by Grammar’s Charlotte Edwards (22) from Redbacks’ Jenny Cadogan (21).

Simon Whitfort made it back-to-back men’s B-grade fairest and best honours after polling 28 votes to finish ahead of Vikings’ Andrew Hannig.