AFTER finishing second to league legend Colleen Balfour last year, Goorambat gun Kylie Button proved a popular winner of the Fay Morgan Medal on Sunday night.
Capable of playing a range of positions, Button has quickly earned the respect of her rivals, and has been one of the main reasons the Bats were able to reach the finals in each of their first two seasons in the Ovens and King.
She said winning the league's top individual prize was recognition for the hard work put in by the whole club to make itself a contender in a tough league.
"I think it just shows that as a team and as a club we've come a long way," Button said.
"It's fantastic to be recognised within the league given that we were the BandD teams and it's only our second season in.
"I feel very honored it's just fantastic."
Goorambat surprised many established OandK sides on its way to the finals last year, and Button said that experience was driving the Bats to progress even further.
"It has benefited us as a team, and the whole club," she said.
"Knowing that we can match up with the OandK sides has given us a bit more belief this year.
"We're known as a team that's a pretty team, but now they know we can also play."
Button conceded there was a gap between the top four sides and the fifth-placed Bats, but she said plenty of work had gone into making up the difference.
"We've had Bec Lennard move up into our A grade side," she said.
"We've been trying to find a place for her she is a player to really keep an eye on.
"And our defence has been great this year Kate Brunt and Ally O'Brien are very strong defenders.
"Other than that we've just been trying to blend everything together on the court, and I think we're really finding our feet."
Moyhu's Jenna McLeod finished equal runner up in the award, and said it was a surprise given defenders rarely poll many votes.
"I am proud of this, because being a defender is tough," McLeod said.
"We do our job to give the shooters more opportunities, and you probably don't get recognised as much.
"But the whole team has just gelled so well this year, and I couldn't be happier with how we've been playing.
"In the end individual roles don't really matter it's how you play as a team."
The other equal runner up, Milawa's Kate Finnigan, polled 25 votes despite playing just 13 games.
She crossed from Wangaratta Magpies after last season, but will play no part in the finals after falling pregnant.
"I made the transition to Milawa just to have a bit more of a relaxed environment," Finnigan said.
"I've got a young daughter, so I was keen to take it a bit easier this season.
"It's been a lot of fun the girls have gelled really well.
"To get this award is a surprise it's a reflection of how well the side has played.
"It's a bit of a shame I can't see the finals series out, but that's the way it goes.
"I'm obviously very happy, but it's probably a little bit disappointing for the other girls."
BY - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
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STAR TRIO: Kylie Button (middle) polled 27 votes to win the Fay Morgan Medal from Jenna McLeod (left) and Kate Finnigan (right) who each finished on 25 votes. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
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Last Modified on 24/08/2011 12:33