BY NATHAN DOLE
KANGAROO Flat mid-courter Chelsea Sartori has earned the Betty Thompson Medal as fairest and best in the A-grade netball competition run by the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL.
A runner-up a year earlier and top-five finisher on multiple occasions, Sartori polled 25 votes in the 2023 award race.
Counting of votes and the medal presentation was held on Sunday night at Bendigo Club.
After 12 rounds in the 18-round season, Sartori was on 12 votes as Castlemaine co-coach Fiona Fowler led the way on 17.
It was a jam-packed leaderboard as Sandhurst’s Charlotte Sexton was on 15, and Gisborne star Claudia Mawson was on 14.
A maximum three votes as best on court in rounds 14 and 15 put Sartori in the lead on 18 votes as Fowler and South Bendigo’s Alicia McGlashan were next best on 17.
Fowler and Sartori were adjudged best in their team’s wins in the 16th round.
Another three in the 17th round put Sartori on 24 votes.
Sandhurst’s Shae Clifford made a late charge with consecutive threes, but it was Sartori which clinched a memorable win on 25 votes.
Runner-up honours went to Shae Clifford with as Fiona Fowler and Kangaroo Flat’s Ashley Ryan also capped fine seasons on 21 votes.
“This is a huge honour,” said Sartori after she became the fifth Kangaroo Flat to earn the prestigious award.
“To be playing in such an amazing team as well means so much.”
Nine years after earning the Rising Star award when at Castlemaine, Sartori is still going strong.
The gun mid-courter again played a key role for Kangaroo Flat and also for the Bendigo FNL at the Association championships.
A highlight of her season was playing her 150th A-grade match.
“To be able to play with so many great players over the years is incredible.”
Sartori it’s not just able being able to play a game she is so passionate, but also with many of her best friends each Saturday.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos did not have the finals series they were seeking as they eliminated in the first semi by Castlemaine.
“We will keep building, work harder to get better and win the flag,” Sartori said of goals for 2024.
Sartori also praised the high quality of netball now on show in the Bendigo FNL.
“So many girls are now playing VNL or going on to play higher level.
“It shows just how strong how competition is, especially among the top five teams,” Sartori said.
Top 10 for the Betty Thompson Medal, A-grade:
25 Chelsea Sartori, KF.
22 Shae Clifford, Sh.
21 Fiona Fowler, Cm.
21 Ashley Ryan, KF.
20 Chloe Langley, SB.
18 Alicia McGlashan, SB.
17 Claudia Collins, S’saye.
16 Meg Williams, Sh.
15 Kelsey Meade, Sh.
15 Charlotte Sexton, Sh.
14 Kirby Elliott, Gis.
14 Claudia Mawson, Gis.
14 Rebecca Smith, Sh.
13 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye.
13 Milly Wicks, KF.
The Michelsen and Betty Thompson Medal gala event included presentation of medals to all other netball award winners across the 2023 season.
A closely-fought contest for the Jenni Holborn Medal in A-reserve went the way of Sandhurst’s Kelsey Ralph on 25 votes.
Runner-up was Stephanie Greene from South Bendigo on 22.
The newly-struck Carol Bingham Medal for B-grade was awarded to Kyneton young gun Baylee Eve.
A tally of 30 votes earned Eve the medal as Eaglehawk’s Isabel Eliades was runner-up on 25 votes.
In B-reserve it was a tie between Kangaroo Flat’s Ashlye Faulkner and Sandhurst’s Isabelle Whiteley on 26 votes.
The Carol Sing Medal for 17-and-under went to Maryborough’s Ella Patten on 30 votes.
Runner-up was Sandhurst’s Neve Pinner on 28.
The Bart ‘n Print Rising Star award was presented by Steve Bright to Charlotte Sexton from Sandhurst.
Gisborne clubmates Bella Connors and Claudia Mawson earned the BFNL representative program awards.
Connors for 17-and-under, and Mawson at open level.
An incredible tally of 5433 goals across five grades earned Sandhurst the netball goalshooting award.
ROUND-BY-ROUND & CLUB-BY-CLUB VOTING
Sandhurst wins duel for most Betty Thompson Medal votes
THE unbeaten Sandhurst line-up gained most votes in this year’s Betty Thompson Medal race for A-grade netball fairest and best in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL.
Sandhurst polled 102 votes across 18 rounds as Kangaroo Flat was next best on 86.
Second at the end of the home-and away series, Gisborne had a tally of 78 votes.
Next best were Castlemaine, 54; and South Bendigo, 61.
Honours in ’23 went to Kangaroo Flat captain and mid-courter Chelsea Sartori.
A look at the round-by-round voting for the prestigious award:
Round one
Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye
3 Kirby Elliott, Gis; 2 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye; 1 Torie Skrijel, Gis.
Maryborough v Castlemaine
3 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 2 Emma Winfield, Cm; 1 Keely Hare, Mb.
South Bendigo v Eaglehawk
3 Alicia McGlashan, SB; 2 Chloe Gray, SB; 1 Olivia Mason, SB.
Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat
3 Imogen Sexton, Sh; 2 Ava Lowndes, KF; 1 Kelsey Meade, Sh.
Golden Square v Kyneton
3 Claire Oakley, Kyn.; 2 Brooke Mangan, Kyn.; 1 Rachelle Mangan, Kyn.
Round two
Castlemaine v Gisborne
3 Charlee Kemp, Gis.; 2 Claudia Mawson, Gis.; 1 Fiona Fowler, Cm.
Eaglehawk v Maryborough
3 Tali Chadwick, Mb; 2 Gabrielle Marlow, Eh; 1 Tori Chandler, Mb.
Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo
3 Milly Wicks, KF; 2 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 1 Stephanie Goode, SB.
Kyneton v Sandhurst
3 Kelsey Meade, Sh; 2 Meg Williams, Sh; 1 Heather Oliver, Sh.
Strathfieldsaye v Golden Square
3 Claudia Collins, S’saye; 2 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye; 1 Ella Flavell, S’saye.
Round three
Gisborne v Eaglehawk
3 Kirby Elliott, Gis.; 2 Charlee Kemp, Gis.; 1 Eloise Rodda, Gis.
Maryborough v Kangaroo Flat
3 Ingrid Hopkins, KF; 2 Lou Dupuy, KF; 1 Chelsea Sartori, KF.
South Bendigo v Kyneton
3 Chloe Langley, SB; 2 Alicia McGlashan, SB; 1 Chloe Gray, SB.
Sandhurst v Golden Square
3 Shae Clifford, Sh; 2 Imogen Sexton, Sh; 1 Paige Ryan, Sh.
Castlemaine v Strathfieldsaye
3 Georgie Rodger, Cm; 2 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 1 Ella Flavell, S’saye.
Round four
Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne
3 Ashley Ryan, KF; 2 Lou Dupuy, KF; 1 Kirby Elliott, Gis.
Kyneton v Maryborough
3 Brooke Mangan, Kyn.; 2 Lauren Anglin, Kyn.; 1 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.
Golden Square v South Bendigo
3 Alicia McGlashan, SB; 2 Chloe Gray, SB; 1 Chloe Langley, SB.
Strathfieldsaye v Sandhurst
3 Charlotte Sexton, Sh; 2 Imogen Sexton, Sh; 1 Heather Oliver, Sh.
Eaglehawk v Castlemaine
3 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 2 Tiarni Baxter, Eh; 1 Jasmin Gallagher, Eh.
Round five
Gisborne v Kyneton
3 Kirby Elliott, Gis.; 2 Eloise Rodda, Gis.; 1 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.
Maryborough v Golden Square
3 Tori Chandler, Mb; 2 Cassidy Humphrey, GS; 1 Keely Hare, Mb.
South Bendigo v Sandhurst
3 Shae Clifford, Sh; 2 Rebecca Smith, Sh; 1 Charlotte Sexton, Sh.
Castlemaine v Kangaroo Flat
3 Montaya Sardi, Cm; 2 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 1 Ashley Ryan, KF.
Strathfieldsaye v Eaglehawk
3 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye; 2 Jasmin Gallagher, Eh; 1 Ella Flavell, S’saye.
Round six
Golden Square v Gisborne
3 Kiralee Collings, Gis.; 2 Claudia Mawson, Gis.; 1 Torie Skrijel, Gis.
Sandhurst v Maryborough
3 Charlotte Sexton, Sh; 2 Rebecca Smith, Sh; 1 Keely Hare, Mb.
South Bendigo v Strathfieldsaye
3 Claudia Collins, S’saye; 2 Chloe Langley, SB; 1 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye.
Kyneton v Castlemaine
Respectfully, no play
Kangaroo Flat v Eaglehawk
3 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 2 Lou Dupuy, KF; 1 Ava Lowndes, KF.
Round seven
Gisborne v Sandhurst
3 Meg Williams, Sh; 2 Charlotte Sexton, Sh; 1 Kirby Elliott, Gis.
Maryborough v South Bendigo
3 Alicia McGlashan, SB; 2 Chloe Langley, SB; 1 Carissa Brook, SB.
Castlemaine v Golden Square
3 Jane O’Donohue, Cm; 2 Lucy Morcom, GS; 1 Fiona Fowler, Cm.
Eaglehawk v Kyneton
3 Jessica Mangan, Kyn.; 2 Brooke Mangan, 1 Michelle Fletcher, Kyn.
Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat
3 Lou Dupuy, KF; 2 Ashley Ryan, KF; 1 Claudia Collins, S’saye.
Round eight
South Bendigo v Gisborne
3 Kiralee Collings, Gis.; 2 Claudia Mawson, Gis.; 1 Zoe Davies, Gis.
Maryborough v Strathfieldsaye
3 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye; 2 Ella Flavell, S’saye; 1 Stephanie Freemantle, S’saye.
Sandhurst v Castlemaine
3 Charlotte Sexton, Sh; 2 Shae Clifford, Sh; 1 Madeline Carter, Cm.
Golden Square v Eaglehawk
3 Tiarni Baxter, Eh; 2 Gabrielle Marlow, Eh; 1 Morgan Keating, Eh.
Kyneton v Kangaroo Flat
3 Milly Wicks, KF; 2 Ashley Ryan, KF; 1 Chelsea Sartori, KF.
Round nine
Gisborne v Maryborough
3 Claudia Mawson, Gis.; 2 Charlee Kemp, Gis.; 1 Tori Chandler, Mb.
Castlemaine v South Bendigo
3 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 2 Montaya Sardi, Cm; 1 Alicia McGlashan, SB.
Eaglehawk v Sandhurst
3 Meg Williams, Sh; 2 Shae Clifford, Sh; 1 Sophie Shoebridge, Sh.
Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square
3 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 2 Abbey Ryan, KF; 1 Ashley Ryan, KF.
Strathfieldsaye v Kyneton
3 Claudia Collins, S’saye; 2 Ava Hamilton, S’saye; 1 Macey Brereton, S’saye.
Round 10
Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne
3 Claudia Mawson, Gis.; 2 Zoe Davies, Gis.; 1 Emmie Banfield, S’saye.
Castlemaine v Maryborough
3 Tara Ford, Cm; 2 Caitlin Richardson, Cm; 1 Keely Hare, Mb.
Eaglehawk v South Bendigo
3 Kate Clow, Eh; 2 Claudia Griffiths, SB; 1 Elley Lawton, Eh.
Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst
3 Charlotte Sexton, Sh; 2 Rebecca Smith, Sh; 1 Milly Wicks, KF.
Kyneton v Golden Square
3 Lauren Anglin, Kyn.; 2 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.; 1 Michelle Fletcher, Kyn.
Round 11
Gisborne v Castlemaine
3 Kiralee Collings, Gis.; 2 Rylee Connell, Gis.; 1 Montaya Sardi, Cm.
Maryborough v Eaglehawk
3 Amy Ryan, Eh; 2 Tori Chandler, Mb; 1 Gracie Berryman, Eh.
South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat
3 Ashley Ryan, KF; 2 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 1 Claudia Griffiths, SB.
Sandhurst v Kyneton
3 Rebecca Smith, Sh; 2 Kelsey Meade, Sh; 1 Shae Clifford, Sh.
Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye
3 Claudia Collins, S’saye; 2 Ava Hamilton, S’saye; 1 Ella Flavell, S’saye.
Round 12
Eaglehawk v Gisborne
3 Zoe Davies, Gis.; 2 Claudia Mawson, Gis.; 1 Emerson Lakey, Gis.
Kangaroo Flat v Maryborough
3 Milly Wicks, KF; 2 Ingrid Hopkins, KF; 1 Ashley Ryan, KF.
Kyneton v South Bendigo
3 Chloe Langley, SB; 2 Chloe Gray, SB; 1 Rebecca Ingleton, Kyn.
Golden Square v Sandhurst
3 Meg Williams, Sh; 2 Kelsey Meade, Sh; 1 Heather Oliver, Sh.
Strathfieldsaye v Castlemaine
3 Jane O’Donohue, Cm; 2 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 1 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye.
Round 13
Maryborough v Kyneton
3 Lauren Anglin, Kyn.; 2 Amanda Durbridge, Mb; 1 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.
South Bendigo v Golden Square
3 Chloe Langley, SB; 2 Alicia McGlashan, SB; 1 Chloe Gray, SB.
Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye
3 Rebecca Smith, Sh; 2 Kelsey Meade, Sh; 1 Heather Oliver, Sh.
Castlemaine v Eaglehawk
3 Kyla Byrne, Cm; 2 Elley Lawton, Eh; 1 Tiarni Baxter, Eh.
Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat
3 Milly Wicks, KF; 2 Emerson Lakey, Gis.; 1 Kirby Elliott, Gis.
Round 14
Golden Square v Maryborough
3 Amanda Durbridge, Mb; 2 Cassidy Humphrey, GS; 1 Emily Swan, Mb.
Kyneton v Gisborne
3 Zoe Davies, Gis.; 2 Kiralee Collings, Gis.; 1 Torie Skrijel, Gis.
Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye
3 Ava Hamilton, S’saye; 2 Brylee Wilson, S’saye; 1 Claudia Collins, S’saye.
Sandhurst v South Bendigo
3 Kelsey Meade, Sh; 2 Shae Clifford, Sh; 1 Ruby Turner, Sh.
Kangaroo Flat v Castlemaine
3 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 2 Ashley Ryan, KF; 1 Abbey Ryan, KF.
Round 15
Gisborne v Golden Square
3 Zoe Davies, Gis.; 2 Charlee Kemp, Gis.; 1 Tazma Morris, Gis.
Maryborough v Sandhurst
3 Shae Clifford, Sh; 2 Meg Williams, Sh; 1 Ruby Turner, Sh.
Strathfieldsaye v South Bendigo
3 Alicia McGlashan, SB; 2 Olivia Mason, SB; 1 Caitlyn Hamilton, S’saye.
Castlemaine v Kyneton
3 Meg Ginnivan, Cm; 2 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.; 1 Jane O’Donohue, Cm.
Eaglehawk v Kangaroo Flat
3 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 2 Ava Lowndes, KF; 1 Abbey Ryan, KF.
Round 16
Kyneton v Eaglehawk
3 Tiarni Baxter, Eh; 2 Gabrielle Marlow, Eh; 1 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.
Sandhurst v Gisborne
3 Ruby Turner, Sh; 2 Meg Williams, Sh; 1 Imogen Sexton, Sh.
South Bendigo v Maryborough
3 Chloe Langley, SB; 2 Stephanie Goode, SB; 1 Amanda Durbridge, Mb.
Golden Square v Castlemaine
3 Fiona Fowler, Cm; 2 Tara Ford, Cm; 1 Abbey Grindal, Cm.
Kangaroo Flat v Strathfieldsaye
3 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 2 Ashley Ryan, KF; 1 Ava Hamilton, S’saye.
Round 17
Strathfieldsaye v Maryborough
3 Claudia Collins, S’saye; 2 Ava Hamilton, S’saye; 1 Amanda Durbridge, Mb.
Eaglehawk v Golden Square
3 Gabrielle Marlow, Eh; 2 Kate Clow, Eh; 1 Eleisha Saunders, Eh.
Gisborne v South Bendigo
3 Olivia Mason, SB; 2 Kirby Elliott, Gis.; 1 Alicia McGlashan, SB.
Castlemaine v Sandhurst
3 Shae Clifford, Sh; 2 Kelsey Meade, Sh; 1 Meg Williams, Sh.
Kangaroo Flat v Kyneton
3 Chelsea Sartori, KF; 2 Ashley Ryan, KF; 1 Carly Van Den Heuvel, KF.
Round 18
Maryborough v Gisborne
3 Tiana Newman, Gis.; 2 Charlee Kemp, Gis.; 1 Kiralee Collings, Gis.
Kyneton v Strathfieldsaye
3 Ella Flavell, S’saye; 2 Emmie Banfield, S’saye; 1 Tilly Shepherd, Kyn.
Sandhurst v Eaglehawk
3 Shae Clifford, Sh; 2 Rebecca Smith, Sh; 1 Imogen Sexton, Sh.
South Bendigo v Castlemaine
3 Chloe Langley, SB; 2 Olivia Mason, SB; 1 Fiona Fowler, Cm.
Golden Square v Kangaroo Flat
3 Abbey Ryan, KF; 2 Ashley Ryan, KF; 1 Chelsea Sartori, KF.
Club-by-club voting:
Castlemaine, 54:
21 Fiona Fowler; 7 Jane O’Donohue; 6 Montaya Sardi; 5 Tara Ford; 3 Kyla Byrne, Meg Ginnivan, Georgie Rodger; 2 Caitlin Richardson, Emma Winfield; 1 Madeline Carter, Abbey Grindal.
Eaglehawk, 35:
9 Tiarni Baxter, Gabrielle Marlow; 5 Kate Clow; 3 Jasmin Gallagher, Elley Lawton, Amy Ryan; 1 Gracie Berryman, Morgan Keating, Eleisha Saunders.
Gisborne, 78:
14 Kirby Elliott, Claudia Mawson; 12 Zoe Davies, Kiralee Collings; 11 Charlee Kemp; 3 Emerson Lakey, Tiana Newman, Eloise Rodda, Torie Skrijel; 2 Rylee Connell; 1 Tazma Morris.
Golden Square, 6:
4 Cassidy Humphrey; 2 Lucy Morcom;
Kangaroo Flat, 86:
25 Chelsea Sartori; 21 Ashley Ryan; 13 Milly Wicks; 9 Lou Dupuy; 7 Abbey Ryan; .5 Ingrid Hopkins, Ava Lowndes; 1 Carly Van den Heuvel.
Kyneton, 34:
9 Tilly Shepherd; 8 Lauren Anglin; 7 Brooke Mangan; 3 Jessica Mangan, Claire Oakley; 2 Michelle Fletcher; 1 Rebecca Ingleton, Rachelle Mangan.
Maryborough, 22:
7 Tori Chandler, Amanda Durbridge; 4 Keely Hare; 3 Tali Chadwick; 1 Emily Swan.
Sandhurst, 102:
22 Shae Clifford; 16 Meg Williams; 15 Kelsey Meade, Charlotte Sexton; 14 Rebecca Smith; 9 Imogen Sexton; 5 Ruby Turner; 4 Heather Oliver; 1 Paige Ryan, Sophie Shoebridge.
South Bendigo, 61:
20 Chloe Langley; 18 Alicia McGlashan; 8 Chloe Gray, Olivia Mason; 3 Stephanie Goode, Claudia Griffiths; 1 Carissa Brook.
Strathfieldsaye, 56:
17 Claudia Collins; 13 Caitlyn Hamilton; 10 Ava Hamilton; 9 Ella Flavell; 3 Emmie Banfield; 2 Brylee Wilson; 1 Macey Brereton, Steph Freemantle.