Yarrawonga’s Laura Zanin became the first female Pigeon to win a best and fairest medal in the AFLNEB Open Women’s Football League on Friday night.
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Laura swapped from netball to football this year and only played nine of the fourteen games in a tough season that saw Yarrawonga win only two games.
A fantastic achievement by Laura who was on 16 votes and four votes clear after round 10.
But knowing that she missed the last four rounds she knew it would be still hard to win.
“I didn’t think I could win,” Laura said.
“It came as a real surprise.”
A late charge by Elise Franco from Wodonga Raiders saw the count go down to the last round of the season with Laura coming out the eventual winner by just one vote.
Laura said she always liked football and has loved playing this year for the Pigeons.
“I had a good influence from by brother (Bo) and Dad (Jim).
“And it was great to be part of the team this year with Molly Kennedy as coach,” Laura said.
The talented midfielder also encourages any girl who is keen to play football for Yarrawonga to join the team in 2020.
Rorri Phibbs also polled well for the Pigeons in the League count, finishing equal seventh on 7 votes.
In the Under 16s Girls competition Yarrawonga’s Tayla Sampson finished in fourth place with 8 votes only six from the eventual winner. Evita Williams and Tahlia Newham also polled well.
The Yarrawonga Open Women’s and Under 16s presentation night will be held on Saturday, August 31.
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