GEELONG Falcons bottom-ager Sara Howley has taken home the 2023 Rookie Me Central Medal, judged the best player across the Coates Talent League Girls season. Howley was awarded the medal following her side’s preliminary final loss to Eastern Ranges on the weekend, with the talented midfielder leading from the halfway point of the year and never looking back.

Howley polled a massive 45 votes from 12 games, as she picked up 30 or more disposals in all bar two of her regular season games, including two hauls of 40 touches in Rounds 7 and 9. Also kicking an average of a goal per game in the year, Howley showed her ability to play more inside, while covering the ground well to win the ball in both the offensive and defensive thirds.

“It’s an absolute honour,” Howley said upon receiving the medal. “Obviously I’m very happy with how I went individually, but most importantly the team, I absolutely couldn’t have done it without those girls supporting me every week.”

A full interview with Howley from the day, as well as player highlights will be coming out in the near future.

A Vic County representative, Howley finished eight votes clear of fellow bottom-ager and Vic Country MVP, Ash Centra (37 votes). Calder Cannons’ Kayley Kavanagh finished third with 35 votes, finishing the year strong in polling as she only played the 10 games.

Howley’s Geelong Falcons teammate and skipper, Chloe Adams hit the 30-vote mark with a best on ground display in the final round of the regular season to finish fifth, one vote behind Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves. Tasmania Devils’ Georgia Clark and GWV Rebels’ Millie Lang (29 votes each) and Eastern Ranges’ Laura Stone and Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves (27 each) also polled well.

Bendigo Pioneers’ Lucia Painter rounded out the top 10 vote-getters with 24 for the season, an incredible effort considering she played just eight games. In terms of other players who polled the most votes for their club, Oakleigh Chargers’ Emma McDonald (23 votes), Sandringham Dragons’ Sophie McKay (21) and Dandenong Stingrays’ Mikayla Williamson (20) all featured in the top 15. Murray Bushrangers’ Kaylea Kobzan polled nine votes to be the highest Bushranger this season.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL MEDAL: TOP 10

#1 Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) 45 votes
#2 Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) 37 votes
#3 Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) 35 votes
#4 Sienna Grieves (Western Jets) 31 votes
#5 Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) 30 votes
eq. #6 Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) 29 votes
eq. #6 Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) 29 votes
eq. #8 Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges) 27 votes
eq. #8 Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) 27 votes
#10 Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers) 24 votes

BEST BY CLUB

Bendigo Pioneers: Lucia Painter (24)
Calder Cannons: Kayley Kavanagh (35)
Dandenong Stingrays: Mikayla Williamson (20)
Eastern Ranges: Laura Stone (27)
Geelong Falcons: Sara Howley (45)
GIANTS Academy: Cleo Buttifant & Mel Staunton (6)
Gippsland Power: Ash Centra (37)
GWV Rebels: Millie Lang (29)
Lions Academy: Jacinta Baldwick (10)
Murray Bushrangers: Kaylea Kobzan (9)
Northern Knights: Zoe Hargreaves (27)
Northern Territory: Tatyana Perry (6)
Oakleigh Chargers: Emma McDonald (23)
Sandringham Dragons: Sophie McKay (21)
Suns Academy: Ava Usher (12)
Swans Academy: Asha Turner Funk (11)
Tasmania Devils: Georgia Clark (29)
Western Jets: Sierra Grieves (31)

CLUB-BY-CLUB VOTES:

Bendigo Pioneers: 53
Calder Cannons: 112
Dandenong Stingrays: 132
Eastern Ranges: 126
Geelong Falcons: 120
GIANTS Academy: 23
Gippsland Power: 95
GWV Rebels: 100
Lions Academy: 24
Murray Bushrangers: 44
Northern Knights: 102
Northern Territory: 7
Oakleigh Chargers: 123
Sandringham Dragons: 85
Suns Academy: 39
Swans Academy: 36
Tasmania Devils: 87
Western Jets: 73