By JARROD POTTER
BERWICK VWFL’s official season might be over but there’s one more crucial match the Wickers will play this week.
Berwick will face the VWFL’s back-to-back North West division champion Bendigo Thunder to test out Bendigo’s capabilities against a Premier division team.
Berwick coach Shaun Smith said it was good to give the Thunder a fair showing to find out where it stands and gauge its ability against his team.
“Jess (Smith, VWFL Football Operations Manager) rang us up to see if we’re interested in playing Bendigo to see how Bendigo will play against a premier league side,” Smith said.
“Really happy with the response – we’ve got 25 girls playing who want to get a game.
“It’s not about scores but what Bendigo is playing like so we’ll put a reasonable side on the park.”
Smith said it would be great to expand the VWFL’s Premier division – which fell to seven teams this season with Scoresby seeking a demotion to the South East division.
“It definitely needs more,” Smith said.
“I guess just numbers is the hardest thing for some of the division two teams but if we get more in that would be great and to play some more rounds would be great as well.”
Berwick will face Bendigo as the VWFL South East grand final curtain raiser before the Scoresby versus Keysborough clash, with Berwick taking the field at 11.50am on Sunday.
The club held its best and fairest vote count on Saturday night with Victorian state representative Courtney Clarkson receiving the top nod, closely edging out Dani McIntyre and Georgia Punton.
“She’s just a competitor and a great leader,” Smith said about Clarkson.
“She had a slow start to the season – had a slow pre-season but after that two or three games she started to hit her straps and one of the best rucks in the league.
“She was our best player for the season by a mile.”
Malise Schmolling won the Reserves best and fairest ahead of Corrine Cullis and Sarah Bellerby.
BERWICK VWFL AWARDS:
SENIORS – Best and Fairest – Courtney Clarkson. Runner Up – Dani Mcintyre. Second Runner Up – Georgia Punton. Most Consistent – Romy Timmins. Coaches Award – Chloe Mcmillan. Best First Year Player – Alice Barfoot. Players’ Player – Alana Woodward.
RESERVES – Best and Fairest – Malise Schmolling. Runner Up – Corrine Cullis. Second Runner Up – Sarah Bellerby. Most Consistent – Emily Nadj. Coaches Award – Christie Vassolo. Best First Year Player – Sam Franklin. Players’ Player – Emily Nadj. Best Clubman – Pam Rogers
