Rising stars recognised at Wimmera league's 2019 junior vote count | Photos

The Horsham Football Netball Club was a major winner on the night with three of its junior players claiming awards, including a clean sweep in the football awards.

Horsham's Dyson Parish has claimed the Wimmera Football League's under-17's best and fairest award after a superb season.

The Horsham Demon raced away from his opponents in Monday night's best and fairest count, finishing with 27 votes to secure his first best and fairest award.

Parish was unmatched in the back half of the season but said winning the award was still a shock to the system.

"It's pretty good to win this. I'm still shaking," he said.

This season was Parish's last as a junior footballer, and he said he wasn't looking too far ahead.

"Hopefully I'll be in the seniors next year. I don't know if other clubs will come look at me or not, but I'm looking to stay at the Horsham Demons," he said.

"It's the only club I've ever been at. It's been the best club, and they've been giving me plenty of opportunities."

Ever the team player, Parish said his highlight of the season was something he wasn't involved in.

"It would have to be Hudson Hair getting up on Jett Hopper's shoulders against the Warrack Eagles. He got up there and took a screamer on him," he said.

Parish said plenty of names came to mind when he was asked if he wanted to thank anyone.

"Definitely my mum, for always taking me to the games. I can't thank her enough," he said.

"Craig and Shane Heard, the coaches, too. They've helped keep me fit."

Horsham Saints' Will Brennan finished second with 17 votes and Stawell's Riley Ika, 16 votes, finished third.

Oscar Miller made it a clean sweep for Horsham in the football, taking home the under-14's best and fairest award.

The young Demon finished with 36 votes on the night.

"It's been a good season, and our team is pretty good," Miller said. "I want to thank mum and dad for taking me to the games and all that. The team and the coaches too."

Remarkably, three players fell just short of Miller in the count, all finishing on 32 votes.

Minyip-Murtoa duo Bailey Marthrick and Oscar Gawith and Horsham Saints' Adrianne Lupton shared joint second-place honours.

Ararat's Xavier McLoughlin was awarded the third-place trophy with 23 votes.

Ararat's rising star Racquel Scott has capped off a stellar Wimmera Netball Association season by claiming the 17-and-under best and fairest award in resounding fashion.

Scott was named best on court in the season's final three games, as she coasted to victory with 29 votes.

Despite her strong finish, Scott said it was still a surprise to claim the honour.

"I wasn't really too confident about it. My heart was racing when my name was called out," she said.

Scott has been a mainstay in Ararat's 17-and-under and senior sides this season.

"It's been a good season. It's been a challenge at times," she said.

"Our 17-and-under team finished second, which is pretty good an hopefully we'll finish with a premiership.

"I'm just very excited about finals."

Scott will also feature in Ararat's senior finals campaign after the Rats finished third.

The young gun was appreciative for the support she had received this season.

"I just want to thank my mum for taking me to all the games and supporting me and driving me everywhere, and my coach, too."

Stawell's Dakota Cosson was the runner-up with 21 votes, while third place was shared between Horsham's Molly Lakin and Warrack Eagles goalie Molly Stewart. The pair collected 19 votes apiece.

The rising star award was gifted to Dimboola's Zanaiya Bergen.

In the 15-and-under competition, the best and fairest award went to Grace Manserra.

The young Horsham Demon built an unassailable lead early and finished with 31 votes.

"It's been a really good season, and I'm just looking forward to finals," Manserra said.

"It's been a really competitive season and it's been really great.

"I just want to thank the club; the players and the officials and everyone that's just helped me to get here."

Stawell's Madi Taylor finished second with 27 votes and Nhill's Jenna Schneider rounded out the top three, with 24 votes. Dimboola's Paige Glover was the rising star.

Warrack Eagles' Nicola Clyne claimed the 13-and-under best and fairest, amassing 30 votes.

"I think the season went really well. We're into the finals, so that's good," she said.

"I just love being a part of the team. The girls are so good; we've been together since 2017.

"Tiff and Court, our coaches, I want to give them a huge thanks. I don't even know where to start. They've been so good. Mum and dad too, for taking me to the games."

Horsham Saints' Sophie Taylor secured second place with 26 votes.

Dimboola's Katie Griffiths came in third, with 20 votes, while her Roos teammate Sally Sellens was named the rising star.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.