Shae’s superb play earns Betty Thompson Medal
SANDHURST’S gun centre Shae Clifford has added a Betty Thompson Medal as A-grade fairest and best in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL to her netball awards spree in the ’25 season.
Most Valuable Player in the VNL’s 23-and-under competition and Bendigo Strikers club champion, Clifford won a closely-fought race in Sunday night’s Thompson Medal count.
Best on court in rounds two, three and five meant Clifford charged to an early lead as votes were called at Bendigo Club.
After the final card for the 10th round had been read out it was Clifford on 16 votes from Kangaroo Flat mid-courters Chelsea Sartori and Abbey Ryan, 12, and goalshooter Ruby Barkmeyer, 10 votes.
Clifford’s hot streak kept rolling as she earned the maximum three votes in round 13 against Gisborne.
At two rounds to go it was Clifford and Barkmeyer who led the race on 19 and 16 votes.
There were no votes for them in the 15th round.
Barkmeyer earnt two votes in the Roos’ final round clash with South Bendigo.
Final vote card to be called by Kylie Ellis was the match between Sandhurst and Gisborne.
Best-on-court honours meant Clifford was on 22 votes and joined team-mate Heather Oliver, a dual winner, on the Betty Thompson honour board.
The league’s Rising Star in ’23, Clifford was third in the Thompson Medal count, and was runner-up last September.
“I was not expecting this at all,” Clifford said of her latest medal victory.
“It was a shock when I started to lead.”
A hectic year of netball included playing and training commitments with Bendigo Strikers and Sandhurst.
“I have learnt a lot from different coaches and playing multiple matches,” Clifford said.
A thirst to keep improving and value feedback from coaches and team-mates have been crucial for the young gun.
Clifford’s netball journey began in Castlemaine at Net, Set, Go.
She joined Sandhurst as a 17-year-old and said mid-court ace Meg Williams and long-time coach Tamara Gilchrist had and still play a big part in her development.
“Sandhurst had such an experienced team and has helped improve my play in so many ways.”
Clifford lives and works in Castlemaine.
When not on the netball court she works at a dental surgery.
“There will be a few cleans and extractions to do,” she said of the build-up to Saturday’s grand final against Kangaroo Flat.
Clifford and Oliver will be on court this Saturday as the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst strikes to break the unbeaten streak of Kangaroo Flat in the grand final.
Their opponents include Ruby Barkmeyer in the Kangaroos’ attack.
Nine years ago a then 15-year-old Barkmeyer was best on court as Kangaroo Flat won the A-grade grand final.
She has returned to the club this season and been one of many contributors.
After being presented with her medal on Sunday night, Barkmeyer spoke about the desire to achieve ultimate team success again.
“As the seasons go on you realise premierships are so hard to win.”
Team-mates in the 2016 grand final win, Alicia McGlashan and Chelsea Sartori will be on court with Barkmeyer for Saturday’s game.
The strength of the grand finalists was shown in the Thompson Medal voting.
The top five placegetters will be chasing premiership success at the QEO this Saturday.
Clifford led the medal race on 22 votes as captain Sophie Shoebridge was equal third on 14 votes.
Stars for the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroo Flat include Ruby Barkmeyer, 18 votes; dual Thompson medallist Chelsea Sartori, 14; and Abbey Ryan, 13.
Players to round out the top six were Gisborne’s Zoe Davies and Kirby Elliott and Sandhurst’s Meg Williams, 12 votes; Strathfieldsaye’s Annie Hughes, Eaglehawk’s Allira Holmes, and Kangaroo Flat’s Ashley Ryan, 10 votes.
Since it was renamed the Betty Thompson Medal in 1997 there have been four Sandhurst players who have claimed the honour.
Clifford joins Dragons’ clubmates Roseanne Walgers, 1997; Kris Greene, ’02 and ’03; Brianna Dalrymple-Monro, ’11; and Heather Oliver, ’15 and ’17.
An outstanding career for Walgers included being the league’s A-grade fairest and best in 1995.
A year later and it was Maryborough’s Carol Sing and Sandhurst’s Kaye Walsh who were joint winners of the award.
