2018 has seen one of the most hard-fought, competitive Ovens and Murray netball seasons in recent history. O&M deputy chair and netball authority Kim Odewahn spoke to The Border Mail's Beck O’Connell about the season that was ahead of Sunday's grand final.
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BO: You've been involved in netball administration for more than 18 years, how do you think this year compares to the rest, as far as competitiveness between the clubs?
KO: I think it's been a terrific year. You had Wangaratta Rovers start so well when nobody had given them a thought as such, before injuries made their second half of the year a bit more difficult. You had Wodonga's young team improve as the year went on, Wodonga Raiders won a few games, Myrtleford won a few games. As for the top six, any one of them could have made it through, and we saw Albury and Wangaratta do it. Competitiveness has been fabulous this year.
BO: That's probably evident in the Toni Wilson medal count too, with just two votes separating the winner, Sophie Hanrahan from Corowa-Rutherglen, and runner-up Hannah Grady from Wangaratta.
KO: Absolutely, and that went through three grades, it was only in the under 16s that there was a clear winner. That tells you how competitive it is, it's the first vote count in a few years where there has only been a few votes between first place and even fourth or fifth.
BO: There was a feature article recently about netballers being paid in line with the footballers – what are your thoughts on that?
KO: I think it'd be wonderful – how great would that be, if the netballers got paid to do something they love, which the footballers do, because they love to play football. I think the focus on the amount might be a problem, clubs struggle to find money.
BO: There's certainly pros and cons to both, How has the feedback been with the grand final being played in Wangaratta? We've heard a lot about the football side of things, but how about the netball?
I think it'd be wonderful – how great would that be, if the netballers got paid to do something they love?
- Kim Odewahn
KO: It's all been positive, it really has been. Everyone we talked to from the clubs at our last meeting, they’re all very positive they'll be playing a grand final on a brand new court. I don't think it really matter where the grand final is, but I think the because it's the first time in a long time down in Wang and we have such a beautiful court area and a lovely viewing area, everyone is pretty stoked it's down there.
BO: Lastly, what has been your highlight of 2018?
KO: Sophie Hanrahan winning the Toni Wilson medal. She has been so consistent over all the years, she's represented the league from the junior ranks to the seniors, and is so well respected and loved within the Ovens and Murray and such a worthy winner.
