Ally Halton and Grace Eales joint winners of Wahgunyah's best and fairest

The Lions duo both received their first A-grade best and fairest awards after finishing equal in the club's vote count this season.

But they're the first to admit they have had plenty of guidance and support from their mentors over the course of their netball careers.

While Eales' mum Andrea coaches Wahgunyah's top side, Halton's dad Noel was at the helm of Ovens and Murray League club Wangaratta Rovers this year.

For 18-year-old Eales, she's now following in her mum's footsteps as she takes to the court in goal attack.

The pair had the opportunity to play together for the first time in round two against Wodonga Saints.

"I really appreciate her and she's done a lot throughout my netball life," Eales said.

"I had her as a coach when I was in juniors and I enjoyed it.

"She has a lot of netball knowledge.

"She's always been pretty heavily involved."

Eales always knew that she was destined to become a Lion.

"I've been there ever since I was born," she said.

"I have a lot of family at the club."

Halton has previously played for Rutherglen, but made the switch this season.

The 20-year-old midcourt player can be thanked for introducing her dad Noel to the sport when she was a junior, with his coaching career blossoming from there.

"It was me that initially got him into coaching," Halton said.

"He's my main support really with my netball.

"He likes to give me a lot of feedback, but only because he knows exactly what he's talking about.

"He knows where I'm going wrong and what I need to do to make it right.

"It's good having him there, as well as my coach."

Halton credits Andrea for luring her to the Lions.

"She had been trying to get me across for a few years and she finally got me to make the move," Halton said.

"I've got a lot of friends around my age that play at Wahgunyah."

But she knows it's never easy when you have to face your former club for the first time.

"Round one was a bit tough having to play on everyone I know," Halton said.

"Rutherglen and Wahgunyah have always had a bit of a rivalry.

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"It was fine after round one though, because we didn't have to play against them again."

Wahgunyah was unable to claim a win this season as they took a new-look side onto the court.

But Halton hopes the Lions will be able to find their feet when the Tallangatta and District Netball Association's competition recommences next year.

"It was a bit difficult throughout Covid with all of the stopping and starting," she said.

"You would lose your mojo and have to get to know your team again.

"Hopefully we'll be able to have a full season next year."

Eales and Halton both polled 24 votes to edge out runner-up Caity Byatt.

Tenaya McGill was crowned the club's B-grade best and fairest winner from runner-up Tamara Cunningham.

The C-grade award was taken out by Ella Emmerton, closely followed by Christine Deacon.

Jes Ocep (under-18s), Tara Willett (under-15s) and Rahni Dickens (under-13s) rounded out the club's junior award winners.

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