Sport
8 September, 2022
Third Nalder Tracey Trophy for Naomi Medlyn
NAOMI MEDLYN became a Nalder Tracey trophy winner for a third time on Monday – sharing the award with Carisbrook’s Laura Hurse following a thrilling count.
NAOMI MEDLYN became a Nalder Tracey trophy winner for a third time on Monday – sharing the award with Carisbrook’s Laura Hurse following a thrilling count.
Medlyn polled three votes in the final match of the season to jump ahead of Natte Bealiba teammate Ella Tranter and equal Hurse on 25 votes to be named joint recipients of the Maryborough-Castlemaine District A-Grade best-and-fairest award.
Despite winning the Maryborough Advertiser’s Netballer of the year award earlier in the night, Medlyn says the result came as a “shock” at the end of a “nerve wrecking” evening.
“It was a bit surreal,” she said.
“It got down to the very last vote card. I was three behind heading into the last round and I thought I would finish third which I would’ve been very happy with and then it just happened.
“The lead sea-sawed back and forward for a bit and then Ella jumped up and led for a bit, so it was exciting thinking that someone from Natte would win it.
“It’s a bit of an honour in itself just to be invited but I was going more so to support the team.
“We probably didn’t rate our chances because we thought with such a good group of players we’d all take votes off each other because there’ve been girls that’ve played some pearler games this season.”
Medlyn was one of three Natte Bealiba players to walk out of the event with awards – joining Danny Brewster and Chloe Ross, who won the senior football goalkicking and netball rookie of the year awards respectively.
Avoca’s Maddy Egan and last year’s Nalder Tracey winner Rachel Phelan from Lexton rounded out the top five.
Medlyn now turns her attention to Saturday’s preliminary final against an Avoca side which has not lost in three years.
“I am very excited about this weekend, very nervous as well,” Medlyn said.
“They pipped us at the end last time in the last quarter where they really pulled away in the last few minutes. We’re definitely up there and we’re excited to see what this weekend brings.
“They’ve got a beautiful few players up there. Maddy [Egan] is amazing and holds really well and the passing from their wings is really good. I think if we play our best I think we’re in with a really good shot.”