The 2026 Michelsen Medal Pre-Vote Count was broadcast Live on FreshFM 101.5 and YouTube on Monday September 7, announcing all the winners of the BFNL’s 2026 Best & Fairest Awards, except the Michelsen Medal & Betty Thompson Medal which will be counted live at the Michelsen & Thompson Medal Ceremony, Sunday 13 September at the Bendigo Club.
The BFNL congratulates the below winners of a fantastic 2026 season:
BART ‘N’ PRINT RISING STAR AWARDS:
Football: Jaxon Howard – Sandhurst FNC
Netball: Harriett Whiteacre - Sandhurst FNC
15 & UNDER MEDAL – NETBALL
Winner of the 15 & Under Medal: Elle Gilchrist - Sandhurst FNC - 18 votes
Runners Up of the Sing Medal: Ava Hope – Golden Square FNC - 17 votes
SING MEDAL – 17 & UNDER NETBALL
Winner of the Sing Medal: Ese Phillips - Sandhurst FNC - 26 votes
Runner Up of the Sing Medal: Peyton Chambers – Kangaroo Flat FNC - 22 votes
B RESERVE MEDAL - NETBALL
Winner of the B Reserve Netball: Megan Kely – Kangaroo Flat FNC - 19 votes
Runner Up of the B Reserve Netball: Sophie Ingram - Kangaroo Flat FNC - 17 votes
BINGHAM MEDAL - B GRADE NETBALL
Winner of the B Grade Netball: Olivia Fenn - Gisborne FNC - 20 votes
JOINT Runner up of the B Grade Netball: Paige Campbell – South Bendigo FNC - 18 votes
JOINT Runner up of the B Grade Netball: Rylee Connell - Gisborne FNC - 18 votes
HOLBORN MEDAL – A RESERVE GRADE NETBALL
Winner of the A Reserve Grade Netball: Ella Wicks - Kangaroo Flat FNC - 25 votes
Runners Up of the A Reserve Grade Netball: Reese Gilchrist - Sandhurst FNC - 17 votes
GEORGE SYMONS MEDAL – U/18 FOOTBALL
JOINT Winner of the George Symons Medal: Jack Moresi - Sandhurst FNC - 17 votes
JOINT Winner of the George Symons Medal: Sam O’Bree - Strathfieldsaye FNC - 17 votes
MCDONALD MEDAL – RESERVES FOOTBALL
Winner of the McDonald Medal: Ethan Hanley - Eaglehawk FNC - 19 votes
15 & UNDER NETBALL – BEST REPRESENTATIVE PLAYER
Evie Gretgrix - Sandhurst FNC
17 & UNDER NETBALL – BEST REPRESENTATIVE PLAYER
Lexie Fennell - Strathfieldsaye FNC
OPEN NETBALL – BEST REPRESENTATIVE PLAYER
Ruby Barkmeyer – Kangaroo Flat FNC
BEST SENIOR INTERLEAGUE PLAYER
Winner of the Derrick Filo Medal: Dylan Johnstone - Gisborne FNC
ROBERT O’CONNELL MEDAL – BEST UNDER 18’S INTERLEAGUE PLAYER:
Winner of the Robert O’Connell Medal: Josh Kelly – Golden Square FNC
COFFEE STORM LEADING GOAL KICKING AWARDS
RON BEST MEDAL – LEADING SENIOR GOALKICKER
Winner of the Ron Best Medal: Pat McKenna - Gisborne FNC - 78 goals
RESERVES FOOTBALL
JOINT WINNER: Seth Cooke - Golden Square FNC - 33 goals
UNDER 18 FOOTBALL
Winner: Miller Armstrong - Sandhurst FNC - 50 goals
COFFEE STORM LEADING GOAL SHOOTING AWARD
Sandhurst FNC – 4,844 Goals
