Prespakis tops the league

Calder Cannons young gun Georgie Prespakis took out the NAB League Girls best and fairest award overnight, 12 months after her sister Madison achieved the same feat.

Prespakis polled a total of 20 votes in seven of her eight matches in 2019 – six times being judged best-afield.

The 16-year-old averaged 22.8 disposals, 2.4 marks, 5.6 tackles and 1.3 goals – including one seven-goal haul – this season.

“It’s a fantastic achievement, and something that’s really well deserved,” Female Talent Coordinator Russell Humphrey said.

“Georgie had a wonderful season and we were really pleased with the development she showed across her eight matches.

“It’s another great feather in her cap after winning our club’s Meg McArthur Medal as the side’s best player.”

It also becomes the third-straight season a Cannon has taken out the award, with current Collingwood player Chloe Molloy earning the honour in the maiden NAB League Girls – the then-known TAC Cup – 2017 season.

Madison Prespakis was drafted by Carlton in last year’s AFL Women’s draft, however Georgie will continue to develop in the NAB League for a further two season before being eligible to be selected by an AFLW club.

“It’s brilliant to have had all three winners come from our club,” Humphrey said.

“It comes down to our players’ willingness to listen to coaches and to transform that into game day performance.”

Vice-captain Felicity Theodore (six votes), captain Georgia Patrikios and Alana Barba (four each), Zali Friswell and Georgia Sampson (two each) and Gloria Elarmaly, Krstel Petrevski and Laura Cocomello (one each) also polled on the night.

“It’s great that we had nine different players acknowledged by the umpires throughout the yer,” Humphrey said.

“A number of those players are bottom-agers and we look forward to their continual development in 2020.”

Prespakis was also named on a half-back flank in the 2019 NAB League Girls Team of the Year, along with Theodore and Patrikios.

Meanwhile, state combine-bound Brodie Newman was named in a back pocket in the NAB League Boys Team of the Year after a stellar season averaging 19.4 touches and 6.3 marks per game.

Ned Gentile can also hold his head high after finishing third in the Morrish Medal with 13 votes.

The small forward has averaged nearly 20 disposals, four marks and 4.1 inside 50s this NAB League season.

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