Shepparton’s Ashley Holland received his second Morrison Medal at the GVL’s best-and-fairest night at Tatura’s Ballantyne Centre on Monday, after a consistent season helped his Bears attain the minor premiership and a spot in Sunday’s grand final.
Holland finished with 24 votes, one vote shy of his winning tally in 2024, and enters esteemed GVL royalty as the 10th player to win the Morrison Medal twice.
Mansfield’s Alexandra Ball claimed the Wellman Family Medal for the A-grade best-and-fairest after propelling her Eagles to a long-awaited finals appearance.
Ball scored 429 goals for the Eagles in 2026, plying her trade regularly in goal attack, but also in wing attack and goal shooter positions.
Ball received 25 votes, finishing one ahead of runner-up Ally Black from Seymour FNC.
Other medallists on the night included Echuca’s Kobyn James for the Reserves best-and-fairest Abikhair Medal and Kelly Hill of Euroa claiming the B-grade Sandra Cox Medal.
Sahra Brooks of Rochester FNC won the B-reserve Gaye Eaton Medal with 25 votes.
Echuca’s Darby Jones claimed the Rising Star award and Mooroopna’s Layla Ratcliffe received the Future Star award - both young guns are expected to line up for senior and A-grade grand final action on Sunday.
Outgoing Cats coach John Lamont received the Senior Football Coach of the Year, while Mansfield FNC's Michelle Kain received the Senior Netball Coach of the Year Award - both of which took their respective clubs through unlikely rises to finals action in 2026.
Tatura’s Sam Green won the Volunteer of the Year award for his work as a trainer and coach of the Bulldogs’ women football side, while Euroa’s Hill claimed second silverware for the Spirit of GVL Award.
Mansfield FNC's Indi Nicholls and Eva Clydesdale were each presented with a Netball Umpire Development Award, while Benalla’s Nick Pearson was recognised as the Interleague Coach for Senior Football, while Shepparton United’s Shinea Sali was recognised as the Association Championships Coach for Open Netball.
The leading goalkicker awards went to Shepparton United’s Matthew Casey of Shepparton United FNC, who kicked 60 senior goals, and Seymour’s Jack Radford, who kicked 70 reserves goals.
Rochester FNC was named Administrator of the Year.
Awards concerning the under-15s and 17s netball and under-18s football will be announced at the new separate Junior Awards Day.
The Junior Awards Day will be held on the afternoon of October 3rd, 2026 at MOVE.
