Essendon Royals Announce 2024 Senior Presentation Night Award Winners

Essendon Royals have announced the winners of their end-of-season awards at their Senior Presentation night on Friday.

Bethany Mason-Jones and Graham Kelly were both announced the winners of Essendon’s Player of the Year award for the senior women’s and senior men’s sides after incredible campaigns for the club.

Mason-Jones was a key figure in goals for the Royals this season, putting in a string of huge performances that helped Essendon secure a finals berth in their first campaign in the top flight of NPLW Victoria.

Her performances saw her earn a place in the Victoria squad for the upcoming Battle of the States, having firmly established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the state.

Meanwhile, Kelly was key for the Royals in their second season in VPL2, scoring eight goals and marshalling things brilliantly in the middle of the park as Essendon secured a fourth-place finish – their best in the NPL era.

Kelly finished just ahead of goalkeeper Andre Russo on the final leaderboard.

Kendrah Smith was voted by her peers as the Players’ Player of the Year after an impressive first season at the Royals after making the move from New Zealand, while Michaela Jurcic and Ava Groba were both awarded the Coaches Award by Vince Battiato.

Audrey Oastler and Jordan Adeyemi were also recognised for their brilliant seasons, taking home the Golden Boot awards.

Oastler scored 13 goals for the season and finished fifth in the Golden Boot race after a tremendous first campaign at Cross Keys, while Adeyemi bagged 15 goals of his own, en route to also finishing equal-first in the VPL2 Golden Boot leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Christina Sistanis (Under 20s NPLW) and Massimo Fichera (Under 23s VPL2) claimed Player of the Year honours after brilliant seasons. The latter also took home the Golden Boot award after bagging eight goals.

Keeley Di Martino was also awarded the Player of the Year and Best and Fairest for the Royals’ Women’s State League 3 side.

Full list of award winners:

SENIOR WOMEN

Player of the Year: Beth Mason-Jones
Players’ Player of the Year: Kendrah Smith
Golden Boot: Audrey Oastler
2 x Coaches Award: Michaela Jurcic & Ava Groba

SENIOR MEN

Best and Fairest: Graham Kelly
Runner up: Andre Russo
Golden Boot: Jordan Adeyemi

UNDER 20’s NPLW

Player of the Year: Christina Sistanis
Players’ Player of the Year: Chloe Harman
Golden Boot: Lola Ferrante
Most Improved: Jezabel Strangis

UNDER 23’s

Best & Fairest: Massimo Fichera
Runners up: Luke Croce
Runners up: Diarmaid Harrington
Runners up: Alexander Sovitslis
Golden Boot: Massimo Fichera

WOMENS STATE LEAGUE 3

Player of the Year: Keeley Di Martino
Most Improved: Angelique Basile
Best & Fairest: Keeley Di Martino