The first was achieved in her debut season with the Hawks after arriving from her home club Moyhu in the Ovens and King League.

McLeod polled 36 votes to edge out goal shooter Sammi Kreltszheim (29 votes).

While she has previously finished runner-up to captain and former coach Ashlee Martin on several occasions, the 33-year-old said she was surprised to have secured the award this season.

"I was very shocked because we had a very shaky year with the stop-start nature of Covid," McLeod said.

"I also missed a game due to illness, so I didn't think I would be up there.

"It's getting harder for me as I get older.

"My body doesn't quite keep up with my mind, but I try to work extra hard to be able to provide opportunities for my team.

"Both Sammi and Ashlee had fantastic seasons and our younger teammates also showed that they will be right up there contributing each week, which is great for the future of our club.

"I'm very proud to be named among a long list of best and fairest winners from our great club."

It was announced during Rovers' presentation night that Jo Cresswell will be taking the reins from Noel Halton next season to join her husband Daryn as a senior coach at the club.

Cresswell was supposed to lead the A-grade side for the abandoned 2020 season and assisted Halton this year.

She's previously led fellow Ovens and Murray League club Wodonga Raiders.

"Jo's a fantastic person and a very knowledgeable coach, so to have her in charge is great," McLeod said.

"She has high expectations for the entire squad and if everyone can undertake her requests and work really hard we should have a great 2022.

"We had some injuries this season and were proud of what we achieved, but we're really looking forward to next year."

Rovers hope to retain majority of their squad for next season, however some younger players are expected to move on as they start their university studies.

When McLeod isn't playing netball, she's busy running around after her two children Reid, 12 and Milla, 8.

"I'm very lucky that my kids love coming down to the ground every Saturday and to training," she said.

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"I love that I can take to the court knowing that lots of lovely Wangaratta Rovers are watching out for my children."

In other netball awards, Ebony O'Donohue was a runaway winner in B-grade with 38 votes, followed by Charlotte Proft (23).

Bridie Nolan (45) claimed the C-grade prize from runner-up Kara O'Donohue (21), with O'Donohue taking home the league medal earlier this month for the same grade.

Billie Stemmer (31) won the under-17s best and fairest from Andrea Uebergang (28).

Rovers also announced their coaching appointments for all netball grades, with Courtney Hillier to lead B-grade, Bec and Sami Kreltszheim to steer C-grade and Lisa Beck in charge of under-17s.

The Hawks' A-grade finished the home and away season in ninth spot with three wins.

The club is set to commence pre-season training before pausing for the Christmas break.

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