Top honours for Bailey and Rhys

Longwarry’s Bailey Stephens and Neerim-Neerim South’s Rhys George have taken the top honours at the Ellinbank District Football League’s junior vote count.

Bailey was awarded the Ian Cooper medal for the best and fairest in the under 16s competition.

The talented Longwarry junior, who fronted up for his senior debut in the final home and away round, was a runaway winner.

He polled 35 votes to finish 12 votes clear of runner up Isaac Fuller of Neerim-Neerim South.

Bailey drew clear after round four and was never headed. He polled in 11 games and nine times was awarded three votes

Rhys won the Bill Cumming medal for the best and fairest in the under 18s competition and was also a runaway winner.

Rhys polled in 15 games, which included nine best on grounds, for a total of 37 votes.

He finished 11 votes clear of Nyora ruck Travis Stewart.

Adam Adamiak (50 goals) from Longwarry nd Lauchlan Gregson (104 goals) from Catani were also presented with trophies for topping the goal kicking tables at the end of the home and away season. Under 16 leaderboard: Bailey Stephens (Longwarry) 35 votes, Isaac Fuller (Neerim-Neerim South) 23, Hayden Wallis (Poowong) 22, Corey Garlick (Ellinbank) 17, Geordie Wells (Catani) 16, Brendan Wall (Buln Buln) 14, Tane Derrick (Poowong) 14. Under 18 leaderboard: Rhys George (Neerim-Neerim South) 37, Travis Stewart (Nyora) 26, Josh McNally (Poowong) 25, Kiam Rose (Catani) 20, Lachlan Hedrick (Ellinbank) 15, Cooper Clancy (Neerim-Neerim South) 15, Mason Koffman (Lang Lang) 15.

EDFL board of management chair Roger Gwynne presents the under 16 leading goal kicker award to Angus Adamiak of Longwarry.

Rhys George of Neerim-Neerim South receives the Bill Cumming medal from EDFL board chair Roger Gwynne.

EDFL board chair Roger Gwynne congratulates Ian Cooper medallist, Bailey Stephens of Longwarry.

Lauchlan Gregson won the under 18 goal kicking with 104 goals;Photographs: Jeff Tull.