Recap: All the award winners from our 2024 Southern Saints Best & Fairest

09/07/2024

Georgia Foran, Maddi Torpey, Meg Ginnivan, Deanna Jolliffe and Laura Munyard round out the award winners for the night, but it was Charlotte Ryan who was crowned the Southern Saints Best & Fairest for the 2024 rebel VFLW season. 

The Southern Saints Best & Fairest was a night to reflect on the 2024 season and acknowledge some outstanding contributions both on and off the field.

Head Coach Michelle 'Alpha' Densley (who couldn't be there on the night) took the opportunity to reflect on the year that's been (through Assistant Coach, Shane Hamill) acknowledging that 'although the year did not go as planned, facing challenges - finishing 13th on the ladder, missing out on finals and sustaining some major injuries to key players - we faced them all as a team and look at the positives, including the experience of travelling interstate as a team to take on GWS AFLW, welcoming new personnel to our coaching and medical teams, appreciating the hard work of our players, coaches and support staff and looking forward to what's next'. 

Best Emerging Player

This award was presented to Maddi Torpey, who was described as 'a girl with a heart of gold that epitomises team first culture and never say die attitude'. Despite her nerves at the start of the season, Torpey hit the ground running and played some tough, exciting football with an astounding average of 16 disposals and 23 hit outs. 

Although injury cut her season short, she is a dominant force in and around the stoppage and has rocketed from Coates Talent League player to VFLW leader and is one of the most exciting ruck prospects in the game.

Coaches Award

Meg Ginnivan took home the Coaches Award for 2024. As a club, we pride ourselves on good culture and strive to not only develop our players, but make them better humans and help them build in every aspect of their lives, and that is what this award represents. 

Ginnivan was described as 'someone who is the ultimate club person. She has had some huge mountains to climb over the past two years, but it doesn't matter what is thrown at her, she will work hard and come out on top. She really epitomizes family to every player and staff member at the club'. 

Extra Mile Award

This award is peer-voted and awarded to someone who has gone above and beyond their role off-field at the club for the benefit of the Southern Saints and conducts themselves with upmost professionalism when acting on behalf of the club.

This year's winner, Laura Munyard, received the award for the second year running and acknowledged her colleagues - fellow Physios James and Yoshi, as well as the trainers - and the support they provide not only herself, but all of the playing group. 

Laura's commitment to the welfare of all of our players, and her commitment to her role, is something we truly value as a club. 

Sainter of the Year

This year's Sainter of the Year Award went to Deanna 'Deejay' Jolliffe. An award voted by peers and coaches on a weekly basis, it goes to the player that demonstrates our team and club values and is an extremely valuable part of the team. 

Alpha acknowledged the 'many hats worn by Deejay this year - player, development coach, line coach, defender, midfielder, forward and a player every one of her team mates look up to. There isn't a player that demonstrates our values more and we are very lucky to have her dedicate so much to us'.

Runner Up Best & Fairest

With 92 votes, our Runner Up Best & Fairest for 2024 was Georgia Foran. Foran had a stellar season down back as a formidable defender, averaging 13.5 disposals and 4.2 marks per game and frequently demonstrated her aerial prowess and penetrating kicking.

She polled 18 votes in Round 8 v Box Hill Hawks. 

2024 Best & Fairest

Charlotte Ryan was crowned our 2024 Southern Saints Best & Fairest, finishing the night with 106 votes! Ryan was a force to be reckoned with in 2024, managing to feature in all 14 matches for the Saints - her highest polling round coming in Round 10 v Western Bulldogs where she finished with 26 disposals.

Ryan was the recipient of the Best Emerging Player Award in 2022 and is the daughter of former Sandringham player, Peter Ryan. 

A massive congratulations to all our award winners!

Written by Sandringham FC Media