Sunbury Kangaroos’ Demi-Lee Hallett has taken out the inaugural AFL Goldfields Women’s Football League’s division 1 best and fairest award.
Hallett had four best-on-ground performances and polled in 10 of the Kangaroos’ 14 games to claim the award on 22 votes.
She finished four votes clear of Redan’s Amy McDonald. The two were tied on 17 votes apiece with two rounds remaining, before Hallett polled five of a possible six votes in the final two rounds.
Hallett is still shocked by taking out the top honour. She said before the count she didn’t think she’d had her best year.
“I’m really excited, honoured and humbled to have that opportunity to win an award like that,” she said.
“I’m probably a bit hard on myself at times but very thrilled and honoured.
“In the second half of the season, a lot of girls went through a few emotional things, and maybe I felt my head wasn’t in it at one point. But I never go out there with any other intention do my best.”
Hallett, who has captained the Kangaroos in their first season, paid tribute to her teammates who she says she wouldn’t have won the award without.
She said she was hopeful that side could make this year’s grand final. The Kangaroos face East Point in a semi final on Sunday.
” The whole team means the world to me and so does the club. To know they respect me like that is unreal. I hope I make them proud.
“I have total faith in them. We’ve progressed so much over the season and everyone has bonded so well like a family and have all got each others backs… The expectations they had for us at the start were very minimal
“To see how far we’ve come is unbelievable. I believe we can make it to the grand final.”
Hallett said her footballing goal is to play in AFLW.
Hallett was also named in the league’s team of the year. Her team mate Bailee Said was named in the middle alongside her. Said finished fourth in the best and fairest count,
In a big night for the Kangaroos, playing coach Danni Green was named overall coach of the year and named coach of the senior team of the year.
Green, who also finished in the top 10 in the division 1 best and fairest award, is in her first year of coaching.
