Country girls share top honour at Swan Districts 2021 McSherry Medal night

After a year that saw the league side drop just one game throughout the home and away season, the winner of the 2021 McSherry Medal could not be split, with country girls Jessica Cox and Dana East sharing the top honours at the Swan Districts women’s Fairest & Best awards at Mandoon Estate on Friday night.

The McSherry Medal is an award named after foundation captain, WA representative and dual Reserves Premiership coach, Mandy McSherry. A 3x time Club Fairest and Best winner herself, McSherry is the clubs longest serving captain, and has seen the women’s teams through a number of jumper changes before the club eventually became a part of Swan Districts. Previous winners of the McSherry Medal include: Chelsea Randall, Lauren Osborne, Kara Donnellan (now Antonio), Gemma Houghton, Stephanie Cain, Angelique Stannett and Shanae Davison. Voting is conducted using a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system. Three vote cards were completed for each game. 45 votes are awarded in each round with players able to earn a maximum of 15 in each round.

Clear winners ahead of the rest of their teammates with 79 votes apiece, it was a tight race for the runners up and third placings, with just 5 votes separating second to fifth position, but it was silky midfielder Bianca Webb (58 votes), and ever reliable defender Eliza Gelmi (56 votes) who rounded out the top 3 respectively.

Impressively, Cox finished the season voted by the coaches as one of the best on ground in eight games, with East amongst the best in seven.

Coming to Swan Districts as part of the Rogers Cup in 2017, Cox grew up playing football with the boys in Kellerberrin before making her league debut in 2018. Known for her pressure around the ball and silky kicking skills, it was easy to see why her magnet was one of the first put on the board during team selection in every round. Ever humble, Cox was quick to acknowledge that although this was an individual award, she couldn’t have done it without the help of those around her.

“This medal is a credit to the club, my teammates, my family, the coaches and everyone that has supported me along the way” she said.

“I’m so incredibly grateful and honoured to have been given the opportunity to be recognised in this way. It’s surreal.”

Coming to the club for season 2021, it was easy to see the dedication that Dana East was ready to put into playing football. Living in Manjimup at the time, she travelled for over an hour each way to train with the Donnybrook Football Club and drove for up to 2 hours away on game days. Making the solo move to Perth to pursue her AFLW dream and other career aspirations, it was during the preseason that the coaching staff knew that a special player had walked into the club.

“I’m still shaking and really stoked” she said. “It’s been hard moving up to Perth by myself and the people at Swans have been so welcoming and feel like they are my second family.”

“I’m so grateful for the opportunities that this football club has given me and I’m just really happy.”

Lead by captain Emily McGuire, the Swans backline is arguably the strongest defensive unit in the competition and can be seen as a daunting task for young defenders to find their place down back. After a strong pre-season, Jaime Henry took her chance to prove herself in Round 1, cementing her place in the side, playing all but one game in her debut season, and being rewarded with the Rookie of the Year award. 

“I feel overwhelmed to have received this” Henry said. “The girls have made me feel so welcome.”

“They taught me so many new things and helped me develop as a player and a person and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play league this season.”

It was a new look Reserves side in 2021, lead by coach Brad Flavel. After winning just one game last season, the Reserves won 5 of their first six games, finishing third on the ladder and playing in two finals games.

It was Shannon Matthews that stood out above her Reserves teammates to take home the Helen Wheeler Medal. A forward who is not afraid to run through the middle of the ground, she played just 8 games in the seconds to finish three votes ahead of fellow midfielder Renee Holwill (52 votes). Veteran defender-turned-forward, Fiona Boucher, rounded out the top 3 (43 votes). In an incredible display in Round 12 against Subiaco, Matthews had 11 scoring shots for the game, kicking 4 goals and 7 behinds.

“I definitely didn’t think I was going to win” she said. “I came runner up a year ago in the Ressies so it’s nice to go one better this year.”

“It feels really good.”

The Rogers Cup saw the development of a number of players excel throughout season 2021. With several making their League debuts and earning spots in the Reserves side, the future is very exciting for the Swans women’s sides, with a strong pool of talent coming through the ranks.

Tyla Fitzgerald blew her fellow teammates away in the race for the Chelsea Randall Medal, winning the award with an overall count of 86 votes, 21 more than second placed Tahlia Lough (65 votes). A hard, tough inside midfielder, Fitzgerald’s ‘ready for battle’ attitude in each game showed she wasn’t afraid to carry the team on her shoulders. Abby Bushby rounded out the top 3 medal winners, finishing with 51 votes.

“It feels amazing” she said. “The whole team really improved, and it was a good season.”

It was a great night for new Swan, Amber Ugle-Hayward, who received both the WAFLW Community and Most Outstanding On & Off the Field Awards.

Finding her home in the black and white this season, Ambers influence on the club and community is nothing short of remarkable. She became a member of the Swans Aboriginal Advisory Committee, was on the panel at the Swans Reconciliation breakfast, organised local Indigenous businesses to be a part of NAIDOC round, represented the club at this years Youth Expo, organised players to partake in the ‘Long Walk’ event at Optus Stadium, is coordinating the design of the clubs 2022 NAIDOC jersey, and more.

“I am so excited to be part of a club that seeks opportunities to go out into the community and help others” she said.

“I wanted to play at a club that focussed on being a part of the community where I could learn, grow and succeed, and have found that here at Swans.”

Matt Riggio’s significant contribution to the women’s football program was also recognised on the night, receiving the Swan Districts WAFLW Person of the Year award.

“This award could’ve gone to so many people involved in the female program this year” he said. “I really enjoy being involved and helping the players get the best out of themselves and seeing their careers progress.”

The Award Winners

League Award Winners

2021 McSherry Medallists – Jessica Cox & Dana East (79 votes)

Runner-Up Fairest & Best – Bianca Webb (58 votes)

Third Place Fairest & Best – Eliza Gelmi (56 votes)

Rookie of the Year Award – Jaime Henry

Reserves Award Winners

Helen Wheeler Medallist – Shannon Matthews (55 votes)

Runner-Up Fairest & Best – Renee Holwill (52 votes)

Third Place Fairest & Best – Fiona Boucher (43 votes)

Rogers Cup Award Winners

Chelsea Randall Medallist – Tyla Fitzgerald (86 votes)

Runner-Up Fairest & Best – Tahlia Lough (65 votes)

Third Place Fairest & Best – Abbygail Bushby (51 votes)

Other Swan Districts Award Winners

WAFLW Community Award – Amber Ugle-Hayward

Most Outstanding On and Off the Field Award – Amber Ugle-Hayward

WAFLW Person of the Year Award – Matt Riggio

Other Notable Achievements in 2021

2021 WAFLW Coach of the Year

Adam Dancey

2021 WAFLW Cathy Boyce Rookie of the Year

Kloe Taylor

2021 WAFLW Reserves Fairest & Best

Jacinta Anderson (dual winner)

2021 WAFL Dhara Kerr Medal – 3^rd Place

Lauren Osborne

2021 Under 17’s State Representatives

Chanel Jetta, Danielle Wright, Tahlia Lough, Abbygail Bushby, Olivia Cripps, Jorgina Kean, Jaime Henry, Tyla Fitzgerald, Carys D'Addario & Kyah Chirichilli

2021 Under 19’s State Representatives

Melisha Hardy, Nyra Anderson, Dana East, Sarah Lakay, Bella Edgley, Tara Stribley, Naomi Baker & Emma Nanut

2021 League Debutants

Kloe Taylor, Dana East, Sarah Lakay, Bella Edgley, Danielle Wright, Hope Ugle-Hayward, Caitlyn Appleford, Jaime Henry, Melisha Hardy, Taylah Edwards, Abbygail Bushby, Stephanie Ball & Kareema Kheder

2021 Swan Districts Life Member

Lauren Osborne

2021 Swan Districts 200 Game Milestones

Emily Stott & Fiona Boucher

AFLW Signings

Dana East – Fremantle Dockers (Pick #31)

Sarah Lakay – West Coast Eagles (Pick #40)

Sarah Wielstra – Fremantle Dockers (Pick #57)

2021 WAFLW Total Count