Lavington's Maddi Lloyd shines on court to become a Toni Wilson Medallist

Lloyd polled 20 votes to edge out star Corowa-Rutherglen goal shooter Grace Senior (18), who entered the count as one of the favourites.

Senior was followed closely behind by Wangaratta midcourt player Issy Byrne and Corowa-Rutherglen's back-to-back Toni Wilson Medallist Sophie Hanrahan (17).

Lloyd stormed home in the second half of the season to receive three votes on five occasions from round seven to 12.

It's not the first time the former Ovens and Murray interleague player has been among the competition's highest vote scorers, having finished third during the last count back in 2019.

The talented midcourt player admitted the recognition came as a surprise, after overcoming a suspected broken wrist during the season.

"I definitely didn't expect it at all," she said.

"I've always been told that I'm not tall enough.

"Height's not something you can work on, but I could work on everything else."

She said her brother Josh is her biggest inspiration.

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"I don't think he actually knows that, but he's one of my heroes," she said.

Lloyd becomes the third Lavington netballer to earn the medal.

The last time a Panther won was in 2012 when Emily Browne took to the stage for the first time, later doing it again as a Hopper in 2017.

Former Panther turned Pigeon Sarah Senini shared the prize with Yarrawonga's Sarah Wollington in 2011.

Lavington finished the shortened season in fourth spot under coach Catherine Wood.

"This year was a completely new side but we were still able to gel really well," she said.

"We all formed such a good friendship and bond and we really had each others' backs.

"Hopefully we can continue that next year."

Hannah Grady (15), Kellie Keen, Rebecca Piazza, Sarah Senini (13), Tina Way (12), Nat Heagney and Gabe Mcrae (10) also featured well in the tally.

Myrtleford's Tina Way was named coach of the leauge's inaugural Team of the Year, while fellow Saint Amie Antonello took out the A-grade Hot Shot award with a percentage of 81 this season.

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