LGSHA 2023: Manypeaks’ Chris Metcalfe and Spencer Park’s Tallulah Gouldthorp crowned fairest and best players

Star Manypeaks play-maker Chris Metcalfe and talented Spencer Park midfielder Tallulah Gouldthorp took out the two major A-grade Lower Great Southern Hockey Association awards on Saturday night. Metcalfe, who hails from Manypeaks, said he felt a sense of pirde after winning a maiden men’s A-grade best and fairest award in front of a big crowd at Midddleton Beach Bowling Club. The Peaks forward, 32, claimed the top gong after polling 17 votes to finish ahead of Spencer Park duo James Leiper (15 votes) and Darren Parkes (13). “It’s just a good team to play with and be a part of, it’s a great group of boys,” Metcalfe said. “When you enjoy playing hockey with your mates, it makes things a lot easier. “I grew up in Manypeaks and started playing hockey when I was six or seven. “It’s actually really nice to play for Manypeaks because it’s only a tiny town. “To have a hockey club in the association is a really proud thing to be a part of for me. “I just make sure I give it a crack each game I go out there. “ Metcalfe led the vote count at the conclusion of round 10, sitting on 16 votes ahead of Parkes on 13 and Leiper on 12, but failed to poll in the next two rounds. A one-vote performance against Park in round 13 was enough to secure the award with neither Parkes or Leiper polling in the final two rounds. North Albany’s Jack Carlson (12) and Vikings’ Paul Stobie (11) rounded out the top five. Gouldthorp capped a brilliant first season in Park colours, finishing a runaway winner of the women’s fairest and best award with a 21-vote haul. She finished ahead of North Albany’s Beck Gallimore and Park teammate Georgina Lilford who polled 14 votes apiece. The 20-year-old State representative said a positive environment and plenty of support and guidance from coach Matt Heberle was a key factor in her individual success. “I think being part of a new team was great, everyone was so welcoming when I joined and our coach Plugger (Matt Heberle) has been super helpful,” he said. “I think that’s what I mainly put my season down to. “He’s (Heberle) been playing me in different positions and around the pitch which has really helped. “I think we really play our best hockey when we’re passing, we are a really good team when we play and stick together. “We kind of grinded through our (preliminary) final but we’re hoping we can play our best hockey in the grand final and use some of that passing.” Peaks’ Renae Sheridan (11) and LGSHA’s Natasha Lewis (10) rounded out the top five. In the other awards, Mt Barker Red’s Renae Parsons won the women’s B-grade fairest and best on 24 votes while Mt Barker Black’s Max Wright finished as the men’s B-grade winner on 17 votes. Parsons (14 goals) was the top goalscorer in women’s B-grade while Mt Barker Red’s Tom Dineen (20) scored the most in the men’s B-grade competition. Redbacks’ Michelle Ericcson (12) was the leading scorer in the women’s A-grade competition with Leiper (17) taking out the top scorer award in the men’s A-grade competition. 2023 MEN’S A-GRADE FAIREST AND BEST 17 votes: Chris Metcalfe (Manypeaks) 15: James Leiper (Spencer Park) 13: Darren Parkes (Spencer Park) 12: Jack Carlson (North Albany) 11: Paul Stobie (Vikings) 10: Simon Philpott (North Albany) 9: Brodie Sarre (Spencer Park) 8: Charlie Hudson (Spencer Park) 2023 WOMEN’S A-GRADE FAIREST AND BEST 21 votes: Tallulah Gouldthorp (Spencer Park) 14: Beck Gallimore (North Albany) Georgina Lilford (Spencer Park) 11: Renae Sheridan (Manypeaks) 10: Natasha Lewis (LGSHA) 9: Renae Parsons (LGSHA) 8: Lauren Spinks (North Albany) 7: Brianna Cunningham (LGSHA)