Another year, another gripping storyline of Murray Football Netball League action for the record books.
Hearts were broken, new challengers were awoken and, nestled in the collective brilliance of the year, was a select coterie of individuals who dazzled throughout the colder months.
And so, before we fully close the chapter, here is every MFNL club’s best-and-fairest winner from season 2025.
Barooga
Senior football: Kane Rattray
A-grade netball: Kiera Mathers
Barooga is in the fledgling stages of a rebuild, and zero wins on the senior football front in 2025 reflected that.
However, utility Kane Rattray was a shining light upon return to his junior club and scooped the Vin Toohey Medal ahead of Nick Dore and Sam Macheda.
The Hawks doubled their A-grade win tally from the year prior, with defender Kiera Mathers securing consecutive club best-and-fairests.
Cobram
Senior football: Jackson Trengove
A-grade netball: Amalie Pate
Cobram defied the odds to lift the Coxon Cup in 2025, downing juggernaut Congupna in a bumper senior football grand final.
Unsurprisingly, O’Dwyer Medallist Jackson Trengove also claimed the Tigers’ top gong, edging out Tyron Baden for the Peter Beasley Medal.
Though Cobram’s A-graders couldn’t match the footballers’ success, Amalie Pate was rewarded for a consistent year in defence by landing the netball best-and-fairest.
Congupna
Senior football: Bryden Squire
A-grade netball: Morgan Zotti
Congupna’s seniors had a stop off at Heartbreak Hotel last month.
Despite being the best team all season by quite some way, The Road were left to rue an inaccurate kicking performance on grand final day that cost them back-to-back flags.
However, trusty on baller Bryden Squire had another fine season in red and white, scoring best-and-fairest honours while midcourt pocket rocket Morgan Zotti maintained her monopoly on the netball equivalent of the award.
Deniliquin Rams
Senior football: Mick Barnett
A-grade netball: Ella Harvey
It was a middle of the road season for Deniliquin, with the Rams’ senior footballers finishing ninth and the A-grade netballers bowing out in the first round of finals.
Skipper Mick Barnett beat out vice-captain Will Henderson for top honours, named in his side’s best on eight occasions throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Ella Harvey was bestowed the Jodie Sefton Award for an industrious year through the midcourt.
Echuca United
Senior football: Matt Lias
A-grade netball: Liv McKenzie
Echuca United dashed from bottom of the pack in 2024 to eighth in 2025, marking a stark improvement under Scott Beattie’s tutelage.
Unsurprisingly, triple Echuca premiership wiz Matt Lias made the Murray League his playground in his first year back in the comp, snaring the Jack Hay Perpetual Shield ahead of former Murray Bombers teammate Callum Parsons.
Olivia McKenzie netted the Eagles’ A-grade best-and-fairest, edging out youngsters Diaz Agg and Coby Morgan, who finished runners-up.
Finley
Senior football: Jesse McDonald and Paul Massingham
A-grade netball: Hayley Denny
This year was somewhat of a reality check for Finley.
Last season, both senior football and A-grade Cats’ sides finished in the top three but both were consigned to 11th place in 2025, pointing to a potential rebuild up north.
Jesse McDonald and Paul Massingham shook hands on a joint best-and-fairest finish in the footy, while goaler Hayley Denny laid claim to the netball gong over former coach Milly Op’t Hoog.
Moama
Senior football: Toby Thoolen and Liam Barrett
A-grade netball: Abby Larkin
In many senses, it was a ‘nearly’ year for Moama.
The Magpies had very respectable seasons on the oval and court, but neither the senior football nor A-grade netball sides could vault the extra hurdle and go deep into finals.
First year Moama big man Toby Thoolen split best-and-fairest footy honours with playing coach Liam Barrett, while VNL-listed gun defender Abby Larkin scooped the netball pool.
Mulwala
Senior football: Owen Conway
A-grade netball: Stephanie Hammond
Despite two stumbles in September, Mulwala’s season in the seniors was a resounding pass mark.
Ruckman Owen Conway was influential all year as the Lions reached a preliminary final, and was duly rewarded as he claimed Mulwala’s top prize ahead of Jackson Meade.
And though she finished second in the league vote count, Stephanie Hammond was not to be denied twice as she clinched Mulwala’s best-and-fairest, the - wait for it - Stephanie Hammond Award.
Nathalia
Senior football: Bryce Mann
A-grade netball: Ash Cann
The Mann, the myth, the medallist?
Bryce Mann beat out 79-goal forward Liam Evans for Nathalia’s senior football prize, marking a successful debut year in the MFL since arriving from Marrar.
The Purples’ netballers can hold their heads high despite losing the grand final, with Ash Cann besting her defensive partner, Tegan Sutton, for Nathalia’s best-and-fairest.
Numurkah
Senior football: Kade O’Dwyer and Braydon Sutton
A-grade netball: Laura Ryan
Kade O’Dwyer is departing Numurkah with a stacked trophy cabinet.
The recently unveiled Shepparton signing finished runner-up in this year’s league best-and-fairest and landed joint club honours alongside Braydon Sutton - adding to his MFL rising star accolade from 2022.
On the netball front, playing coach Laura Ryan pipped 2024 winner Lara Langford in the A-grade count following a fantastic tenure in the midcourt.
Rumbalara
Senior football: Kydan Atkinson
A-grade netball: Jessie Barnes-Hill
What a year it was for the Rumbalara girls.
The blue, red and yellow brigade completed a flawless premiership campaign as outgoing shooting icon Jessie Barnes-Hill beat out grand final best on court star Tiarna Steel to notch consecutive club best and fairests.
Rumbalara’s seniors had a much-improved season, finishing one spot away from finals, with Kydan Atkinson going back-to-back on the club’s night of nights.
Tongala
Senior football: Jack Hammond
A-grade netball: Chelsey Wright
It was a welcome Tongala homecoming for Jack Hammond in 2025.
The Blues’ favourite son returned from Cobden Bombers to snare Tongala’s club medal over Bailey Waasdorp, featuring in his side’s best in 12 out of 16 games.
Wing attack Chelsey Wright had the A-grade best-and-fairest medallion around her neck as Tongala made a deep finals run, with Gemma Brennan finishing in second.