The Goulburn Murray Women’s and Girls League presentation night was held on Friday, August 15 and Echuca-Moama individuals came away with a predictably big haul of awards.

Both league best-and-fairest honours were awarded to players from the twin towns.

Moama premiership captain Shaleah Cooper won her third Brit Tancred medal for youth girls best-and-fairest, after wins in 2022 and 2023.

Cooper polled 33 votes across the competition.

The senior women’s Chris Thomas medal came down to two Echuca talents, Tori Russell eventually claiming the honour with 25 votes ahead of her coach, Kate Dixon.

“She’s a great midfield runner,” Dixon said of Russell.

“What she does on the field and off the field is second to none.

“She’s at the gym, she’s running, she’s always last to leave the fitness track, gets around the girls, and builds good culture, which I think then on a field, that stands out.

“She’s always happy to bring others along on her journey.”

While Dixon had to settle for second in the vote count, she picked up her own individual accolade, winning coach of the year after guiding Echuca to the women’s decider.

“I think it’s really good to be rewarded for your efforts,” she said.

“Obviously, those things are individual, but an individual recognition is still really good.”

Moama premiership coach Kate Christie and Echuca United boss Tim McCormick were also nominated.

Along with Cooper’s youth girls nod, Moama continued to collect awards throughout the night.

Ruby McLeod’s 36 majors earned her the youth girls golden boot, and the club’s Jane Millar earned the volunteer of the year award.

Shepparton United’s Paige Baksh led the senior goal-kicking with 24, Barooga’s Madelynn Price was named league rising star, and Nathalia’s Colleen Lewer won administrator of the year.

Seeing strong results in the senior and junior leagues, Echuca-Moama looks to be set up for success in future seasons.

Dixon has signed on to coach the women’s side again in 2026 and at this stage is expecting to retain around 17 players, hopefully bolstered by top-age prospects coming from the youth girls.

“In the Echuca-Moama region there is a lot of talent in sport in general in different areas,” she said.

“Obviously, we’re talking about football here, but I think we’ve got such a high quality of facilities and training and good programs, it doesn’t matter what club you come from.

“We’re hoping to get some of those top-age girls to filter into the senior sides.

“It’s about working closely with United and Moama to give those girls an equal opportunity to filter in.”

Dixon hopes to hold a combined training between the three clubs before the end of the year, in the hopes of integrating potential younger additions into the team.

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Sunday, 16th April 2023

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