Rovers’ Michael Draper and Mt Barker’s Libby Morris take out 2022 GSSA top division fairest and best awards

The Great Southern Soccer Association crowned its best and fairest players of the 2022 season on Saturday night. About 80 people were in attendance at the season awards held at the pavilion alongside the grounds of the Centennial Park precinct. Young Mt Barker star Libby Morris had a clean sweep of the top women’s awards, claiming both the golden boot and fairest and best trophies. Talented Rovers player Michael Draper, who was the recent cup hero, claimed the top men’s award. Morris capped a wonderful individual season in the women’s division one competition as she won the golden boot award with 42 goals. In the fairest and best voting, Morris polled 21 votes to finish four clear of her nearest rivals. Caledonians’ Megan Orr and Mt Barker’s Lowana Winter were joint runners-up with 17 votes. The top five in the voting was rounded out by Polonia’s Amy Walker (16 votes) and Sonics’ Kate Murdock (15). In the men’s division one competition, Draper’s strong influence across the season was recognised as he won a thrilling finish to the award. Draper polled 12 votes to edge out Caledonians’ Ben Harris and Polonia’s Deacon Mastalerz, who both finished runners-up with 11 votes. Polonia’s Liam Murdock and Caledonians’ Beau Timmer rounded out the top five with nine votes each. Rovers’ Justin Bielecki won the golden boot award with 20 goals. In the men’s division-two competition, Phoenix’s Malcolm Van Burgel won the fairest and best award. Baysie Masters’ Nathan Groenewold took home the players’ player award in the men’s division three-four, while in the women’s division two competition Royals’ Zoe Baldwinson was named the players’ player. The GSSA also presented the five league champions with their silverware on the night. Mt Barker finished as champions in the women’s top division, with an impressive 17 wins from 18 matches to defeat rivals Denmark A for the title. Polonia were the men’s division one champions, beating Rovers by two points after 18 games. Phoenix were the men’s division two winners after winning 13 games to finish five points clear of second-placed Polonia. Old Boys had an undefeated season in the men’s division three-four competition to win the league trophy. In the women’s division two competition, Royals didn’t lose a game on their way to title glory, finishing with 11 wins and two draws to be nine points clear of Denmark D.