GRETA midfielder Tom Hazell became the first Blues player in more than a decade to claim the Baker Medal for the Ovens and King league’s best and fairest player in Wangaratta on Sunday night.
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Hazell, 22, crossed to the Blues this year from Goulburn Valley club Benalla and had an immediate impact for coach Wayne Primmer.
The former GV inter-league representative won a thrilling count on 21 votes.
Second was King Valley youngster Nigel Robinson on 20.
Star Whorouly utility Paul Glanville and talented North Wangaratta centreman Brad Miller were equal third on 19 votes each.
Paul Hogan was the last Greta player to win the Baker Medal in 1993.
Hazell said the win came as a surprise.
“I thought I might poll a few votes but I never expected to win it,” Hazell said.
“I started the year off okay and picked up a few votes there and then got a couple more in games I probably thought I wouldn’t have.
“It’s definitely a nice feeling and I really did enjoy myself at Greta.”
Hazell signed on as assistant coach with the Blues and said he enjoyed the experience of having an input with selection and training.
Robinson crossed to the Roos from Ovens and Murray club Wangaratta Rovers, living up to the big wraps he came with to almost clinch the prestigious award.
In the reserves, King Valley’s Matthew Kiely was crowned the best and fairest player on 18 votes from Warren Finnis (14 votes) of the Benalla All Blacks.
Tarrawingee’s Nicholas Griffin won the thirds league medal with 22 votes.
In the netball grades, the winners were former Wangaratta Rovers star Stephanie Booth in A grade, who enjoyed a stellar year with Glenrowan, Renae Fletcher of Moyhu in B grade and Tiger Megan Graham who had a runaway win in C grade.
