Calder Cannons’ Kayley Kavanagh’s super season was recognised with the midfielder taking out the Meg McArthur medal, for the Talent League girl’s team’s best and fairest player.
Kavanagh had an outstanding year averaging 25.3 disposals, 4 marks and 8.3 tackles from her 11 matches.
While the 18-year-old was fantastic in every game she played for the Cannons, she said winning the best and fairest took her by surprise.
“I didn’t think I played enough games to poll the most votes,” she said.
“I was definitely surprised, but also really happy that in the games I did play, I was able to show that ability that I have to be the best that I can be.”
After only being introduced to the Cannon’s program at the start of last season, it has been a sharp rise in her on field abilities.
“Definitely with a bit of confidence, that helps,” she said.
“Then getting to know my team and the ability to read the ball a bit better definitely helped me.”
When Kavanagh wasn’t dominating for the Cannons, or Strathmore at a local level, she was applying her craft for Vic Metro where she took out the most valuable player award following the state carnival, which was again recognised with All Australian honours.
Cannons’ talent lead Sebastian Spagnuolo said there is not much more an under 18’s footballer can achieve.
“Kayley was a standout all year and there wasn’t much that she didn’t achieve,” he said.
“She played outstanding football for the Cannons which led to her Meg McArthur Medal winning result and she was also a Coates Talent League team of the year selection.
“With the AFLW draft coming up in December, Kayley’s definitely a player that will come into draft calculations for many AFLW clubs.”
That is definitely the dream for Kavanagh, however there are still some parts of her game she is wanting to fine tune before draft day comes.
“Keeping up fitness is obviously a massive one,” she said.
“As well as my outside game and having that ability to just add an extra level of being in places that I’m not normally in.
“Because I know my contested ball is normally pretty high in comparison to my uncontested.
“Being able to get inside the contest and clear the ball out, I really like it… as well as being able to get the ball to my teammates.”
Kavanagh’s inside strengths were on full display throughout the season, including in her 16 tackle, 27 disposal game against the Oakleigh Chargers in round six.
The AFLW draft will be held in December with an exact date still unknown.
Harper Sercombe
