2026 Presentation Night — A Season to Remember
19 September 2026 | Gisborne Golf Club
On Saturday night, the Woodend-Hesket Football Netball Club family gathered at the stunning Gisborne Golf Club to celebrate the 2026 season — and what a season it was to celebrate.
From the first bounce of Round 1 to Grand Final day at Romsey Park, 2026 has been a memorable year for the club. A fourth consecutive A Grade Netball premiership. A U19.5 Football Grand Final appearance. League individual award winners across football and netball. A community that showed up week after week and made Gilbert Gordon one of the best places to be on a Saturday.
Presentation Night is our chance to acknowledge the people at the heart of it all — the players, coaches, team managers, volunteers and supporters who give so much to make this club what it is. On Saturday night, we did exactly that.
Congratulations to every one of our 2026 award winners. You are thoroughly deserving.
🏈 SENIOR FOOTBALL
Best & Fairest: Daniel Toman
Runner Up B&F: Josh Winchester
3rd Best & Fairest: Brendan Butler & Jack Binns
Coaches Award: Max Panagiotopoulos
Players Player: Tom Gawthrop
Daniel Toman had an outstanding 2026 season — recognised not only as our club's Best & Fairest but as the RDFNL Senior Football Player of the Year. The captain led from the front all year and was thoroughly deserving of every accolade that came his way.
🏈 RESERVES FOOTBALL
Best & Fairest: Luke Bourke
Runner Up B&F: Greg Matthews
3rd Best & Fairest: Saxon Gardner & James Bartrop
Coaches Award: Lachy Skiba
Players Player: Saxon Gardner
🏈 U19.5 FOOTBALL
Best & Fairest: Austin Pennefather
Runner Up B&F: Will Hollins
3rd Best & Fairest: Ethan Azzopardi
Player of the Finals: Cooper Reed
Coaches Award: Fred Thompson
Players Player: Ben Rankin
This group made it all the way to the Grand Final in 2026 — one of the stories of the season. Austin Pennefather led the side with distinction all year, and Cooper Reed's Player of the Finals recognition reflects just how well this squad performed when it mattered most.
🏐 A GRADE NETBALL
Best & Fairest: Georgia Bowkett
Runner Up B&F: Tayissa Coppinger
Player of the Finals: Georgia Bowkett
Coaches Award: Jess Martin
Players Player: Sarah Duff
The four-time consecutive premiers. The greatest A Grade team in RDFNL history. Georgia Bowkett claimed both the Best & Fairest and Player of the Finals — capping off a remarkable individual season that included winning Best on Court in the Grand Final itself.
🏐 B GRADE NETBALL
Best & Fairest: Mackenzie Svendsen
Runner Up B&F: Ruby Stephens
Coaches Award: Ava Stephens
Players Player: Mackenzie Svendsen & Ruby Stephens
🏐 C GRADE NETBALL
Best & Fairest: Jessica Seddon
Runner Up B&F: Maddy Pettigrew
Player of the Finals: Lucy Munro
Coaches Award: Lucy Munro
Players Player: Natalie McCarthy & Jessica Seddon
C Grade had a brilliant 2026 — making the finals and winning some absolutely nail-biting contests along the way. Lucy Munro's double recognition as both Player of the Finals and Coaches Award winner reflects just how important she was to this group.
🏐 D GRADE NETBALL
Best & Fairest: Louise Marendaz
Runner Up B&F: Tegan Scicluna
Player of the Finals: Tegan Scicluna
Coaches Award: Keeley Whitzell
Players Player: Chelsey Jones
Louise Marendaz was extraordinary all season, consistently among the best on court week after week. Tegan Scicluna's double recognition — Runner Up B&F and Player of the Finals — reflects a player who lifted when it counted most.
🏐 U19s NETBALL
Best & Fairest: Angelique Doherty
Runner Up B&F: Isla Munro
Coaches Award: Kendra Crocker
Players Player: Minty Taylor
🏆 CLUB AWARDS
Junior Clubperson of the Year — Dale Brown
Dale has been a constant and wonderful presence across the junior program throughout 2026. This recognition is a reflection of the time, energy and care he brings to the club week after week.
Senior Clubperson of the Year — Ian Templeton
Ian does it all — committee member, photographer, IT support, gate entry, timekeeping, scoreboard coordinator, and the man who installed optic fibre around the ground. If there is a job that needs doing at Gilbert Gordon, Ian has probably already done it. And done it well. A richly deserved honour.
Netball Rising Star — Isla Munro
A standout performer across the season, Isla's development in 2026 has been one of the quiet highlights of the netball program. A huge future ahead.
Football Rising Star — Alex Gray
Alex announced himself in 2026 as a player with real potential. His Rising Star Round 10 nomination at league level was a fitting recognition of a very impressive debut season at the club.
Thank You
To every player, coach, team manager, trainer, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who has contributed to the 2026 season — thank you. From the bottom of our hearts.
This club is what it is because of the people in it. Saturday night was a reminder of just how lucky we are to have such an incredible community at Woodend-Hesket FNC.
Enjoy the well-earned break. We cannot wait to see what 2027 brings.
Photography: Ian Templeton
