By Tara Murray
South Morang’s Demi-Lee Hallett made a successful return to the Lions and the sport, scooping the Northern Football League women’s division 2 awards.
The midfielder, who didn’t play football last year, was the runaway winner in both the coach’s most valuable player award and the league’s best and fairest award.
Early in the night, she claimed the coach’s award by 34 votes.
Then, in the best and fairest count, she finished on 24 votes, eight clear of second place.
Hallett said she didn’t expect to come away with the two awards.
“It’s pretty amazing and definitely not expected,” she said. “There’s a lot of girls that really busted their arses this year and a lot of girls that deserve to be up here. I’m really stoked with it.”
Hallett said she thought that her season had been “alright”.
“I definitely have areas that I can work on and that’s my aim, to keep trying to be productive and be as good as I can.”
The best and fairest award is Hallett’s second, having claimed the inaugural AFL Goldfields division 1 best and fairest award in 2017, while playing with the Sunbury Kangaroos.
Hallett said it was pretty cool to have won two league best and fairest awards.
Having played the one season with the Kangaroos, Hallett didn’t play football last season.
She made the decision to return to South Morang, where she started her football, this year.
“It was really tough last year, having the year off. I really missed it and it was driving me crazy – it’s grouse being back.
“It was awesome to be back with my sisters and some of the girls that I have played with since I was about 15.
“They’re a supportive club and a good bunch of girls and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Hallett said she was proud of how the side had performed this season. The Lions exceeded all expectations, making a preliminary final.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to get all the way.”
