Tara Murray
Sunbury Lions midcourter Simona Di Filippo is a two-time Sally McLean Medal winner at the age of 21.
Di Filippo claimed her second Ballarat Netball League top honour on Monday night after polling three votes in the final round.
She finished one vote clear of North Ballarat goaler Maddy Selmon.
Di Filippo said it hasn’t kicked in that she has won the McLean Medal for a second time.
“It comes down to hard work at the end of the day,” she said. “It was a very special moment, especially last night [Monday] getting my name called out.”
Di Filippo said she wasn’t sure if she had done enough in the final round to get over the line.
The Lions had a big win against Bacchus Marsh, but they had tried a few things heading into finals.
“There were no promises as I didn’t play a full game in my position,” she said. “I wasn’t feeling too confident, but obviously I did enough in my position to impress the umpires.”
For Di Filippo winning the medal not just once, but twice was something she could have never imagined.
She said her netball career had also been a bit of a struggle to achieve things.
Her role for the Lions has been a key one to help the Lions make it to the grand final.
“From a team perspective we each did our jobs and we became such a coherent unit,” she said.
“I think we all just really gelled together, personally I think my skills have come a long way this season.
“This group got put together last year, we’ve been together for two years now. To make a grand final after two years playing together is such an awesome achievement.
“I probably played better this season than last season.”
Di Filippo had to step up when Tayla Honey went down injured and missed a lot of the back end of the year.
She said it was a good opportunity for her to step up and improve her leadership skills.
A season at the Western Warriors in the Victorian Netball League also helped with her game.
“Playing in championship sides against very good quality players that are playing Vixens in training partner roles and being able to adapt to play on quality players has really challenged me this season.
“I’ve learned so much from that and able to bring it back to Sunbury, putting all the skills I’ve developed in Sunbury.
“I knew how to adapt a little bit easier and my efficiency with passing got a little bit better as well.”
Di Filippo said she hadn’t looked to far past the grand final but was looking to play VNL with the Western Warriors again next season.
Meanwhile, Di Filippo was named in the netball team of the year alongside teammates Rebecca Hicks, Tayla Honey and Sarah Croft.
Coach Kim Bailey was named the netball coach of the year.
In the football team of the year was Sunbury’s Tyson Lever, Josh Guthrie and Jake Sutton.
