Horsham Demons sharp shooter Emma Buwalda has had another excellent season recognised, taking out the Wimmera Netball Association’s top A Grade honour.
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Buwalda polled 27 votes to win her first Hatcher medal. She finished four votes ahead of Horsham Saints’ Ashlee Grace.
“It is pretty unreal, it hasn’t really sunken in yet,” she said after winning the award.
The Demon has been the standout shooter of the A Grade competition this year, regularly shooting at an accuracy of more than 80 per cent.
Buwalda will play a crucial role in Horsham’s crack at the A Grade premiership in Saturday’s grand final against Horsham Saints.
Not only did she take out the Hatcher Medal but she was also named as the best under-21 A Grade player.
The 18-year-old said support from her whole club has helped.
“Definitely having a coach that is so helpful throughout the year and supports me the whole way is important,” she said.
“I have amazing girls around the ring and also my other goalies work so well together.”
Grace will play against Buwalda in Saturday’s grand final.
She said she was “over the moon” to have finished second.
“It is a pretty big achievement as a 20-year-old,” she said.
Warrack Eagles duo Emma Koschitzke and Megan Werner were tied for third with 20 votes each.
2017 winner Koschitzke said Werner probably had a better year and could have finished even higher.
“Megan had a great year and deserved to beat me I think,” she said.
“It is great for us both to finish where we did.”