ALBURY co-coach Shaun Daly has joined club greats Jimmy Matthews and Terry Cross in winning four senior Tiger best and fairest awards.
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The hard-nosed utility polled 200 votes to finish well clear of star full-forward Josh Mellington (169), half-forward Brayden O’Hara (160) and Morris Medallist Chris Hyde (147).
Experienced duo Daniel Cross and Dean Polo tied for fifth on 77 votes.
In only six seasons with the Ovens and Murray powerhouse, Daly has taken out Albury’s top honour in 2009, 2011, 2016 and 2017.
Daly also won best and fairests at Mayne in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
“I’ve had a bit of a lucky run,” Daly said.
“We had a good even spread this year and four or five players could probably have won it.”
Daly played predominantly in defence this season but underlined his versatility by spending time in the ruck during the Tigers’ grand final loss to Wangaratta.
He will co-coach with Chris Hyde next season with Mellington the only confirmed departure to Melbourne club Caroline Springs.
Matthews took out Albury’s best and fairest in 1946, 1947, 1951 and 1952 while Terry Cross won in 1972, 1973, 1977 and 1978.
In the reserves, Brad Hibberson was a runaway winner on 156 votes from Cooper Page (89), Ben Gould (81), Alex Rowe (77) and Will McIntosh (75).
Midfielders Ben McIntosh and Nick Kohlhagen tied in the third grade count on 118 votes.
They finished 14 clear of Murray Bushranger Riley Bice who took out the Brett Kirk Medal for best afield in Albury’s grand final win over Wangaratta.
Premiership coach Dale Carroll has stood down after two seasons with Mark Byrne stepping into the role.
Rhys King (86) and Jay Nish (53) rounded out the top five.
In the A grade, talented centre Gabe McRae polled 50 votes to win Albury’s top netball award.
She finished ahead of Brigetta Hart (33), Justine Willis (32), Jess Fisher-Curnow (29) and Claire Wilson (24).
McRae joined Albury from Riverina league club MCUE and was instrumental in the Tigers pushing into the top five.
Sarah Moore won the B grade on 40 votes from Karlen Holloway (31) and Courtney Katalinic (30).
In C grade, Kelsea Bullivant edged out Steph Loga by two votes and Daveida Azzi scored a narrow win over Zara Koschitzke in the 16 and under.
Lindsay Rollings and Ellie Hodgson received the Club Person of the Year award.
About 200 people attended the function at Sodens Hotel.
Meanwhile, Wodonga Raiders and Wodonga will hold their best and fairest awards next weekend.