GSSA 2024: Denmark gun Leah-Rose Winter grateful of trusting teammates after winning Brinham Dibble Medal

Modest Denmark star Leah-Rose Winter attributed her Brinham Dibble Medal-winning season to her teammates after being named Great Southern Soccer Association’s women’s division one best and fairest. The reliable holding midfielder played a key role in Denmark’s league and cup winning campaign to claim the GSSA’s highest individual honour with a staggering 36 votes, 11 more than runner-up than Phoenix’s Elisabeth Bosch, who won the Andrew Walsh rising star award. Winter, who returned to Denmark before the season started after living in Perth for four years, said she was proud of the award and the club’s scarily successful year. “I was actually really quite surprised to win the award, I wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “I was absolutely blown away that we won the league, and the cup and then I ended up winning the Brinham Dibble Medal. “Overall, the season was so amazing and we have such a good team in Denmark. “I’m absolutely playing again next season, soccer is where I’m supposed to be.” Having conceded just nine goals across both competitions this season, the 24-year-old said her teammates, which include sisters Lowana and Lily-May, prided themselves on their defensive synergy. “I’ve always played central defensive mid since I started playing soccer and like to think I’m more a defensive player rather than the attacking,” Winter said. “My aim is to give the defenders a hand, and then to push the ball forward to the midfielders in front of me. “But I will give a big shout out to our defence who were a huge help in stopping those goals, which are actually my two sisters. “My dream team of siblings were always there to save me if I screwed up.” Winter said her side’s triumphant season was on the back of trusting teammates who instilled confidence in one another. “We rely on each other so much, but we know that we’ve got each other’s backs,” she said. “Everyone’s always pushing each other to do the best they can. “It’s a huge family environment, and I think that’s why I love playing for Denmark.” Mt Barker forward Libby Morris won the golden boot with a staggering 31 goals and Lowana Winter won the coaches player of the year with 14 votes. Holly Froehnelt capped of a spectacular season for Caledonians, netting 42 goals to win the division two golden boot and the fairest and best award with 31 votes. Amaya Dobbe (Phoenix) and Mya Oreo (Sharks) were joint runners-up with 20 votes. In the division three, Stirling Rangers gun Tahnaya Puls was named fairest and best with 21 votes and Sharks’ Erin Norder was runner-up with 18 votes. Keira Wiegele from Polonia won the golden boot with 29 goals.