Toa justifies Goldfields move with Osmetti Medal victory

Ruck Jake Toa’s bold decision to join Mines Rovers from Darwin just days before the Goldfields Football League’s opening round was upheld on Friday night with his Osmetti Medal victory.

Toa, who signed with the Diorites fresh from a Northern Territory Football League grand final win for St Mary’s against Nightcliff, claimed the fairest-and-best trophy with 136 votes — six clear of Jordan Delbridge.

Originally from Melbourne, Toa arrived in the Goldfields in April following three years in Darwin and was named on the interchange bench in the GFL’s team of the year.

Nick Reghenzani claimed the Garbin Medal as leading goal kicker, and Sam Burge and Sam Turner were honoured with the best clubman and coaches’ trophies, respectively.

Hayden Dowson was named the Neil Gill Rising Star, complementing 13 senior games in 2024 by captaining the colts squad to a flag.

Mines Rovers in 2024 secured their first top-two finish in six years, but they bowed out of flag contention with back-to-back finals defeats against Railways and Kalgoorlie.

In a ground-breaking season for the women’s squad who grabbed a maiden premiership, Jess Bolton claimed the Dowrick Medal with 87 votes.

Former East Fremantle player Torrie Revell was the runner-up with 78 votes and Chanelle Halligan led the goal kicking.

Other awards went to Olivia Munro (coaches’ award) and Georgie Partridge (best club person).

Under Quinny Matla, the women’s squad lost the season-opener against Boulder before going on a dominant run.

After a round five draw, they won their next 14 matches that included an eight-point triumph over Railways in the grand final.

Also last weekend, Chase Stubbs won the McIntosh Medal as colts fairest-and-best with 52 votes from Charlie Scafidi (47).

Scafidfi led the goal kicking with Harry Gouge named the Ron Alexander best clubman and Lachlan Watts taking out the coaches’ award.

The Martin Medal, presented to the reserves fairest-and-best, went to Jake Littlewood with 61 votes from Jake Pennington (46).

Kevin Lewis (leading goal kicker), Declan Murison (coaches’ award) and Eoin Rice (best clubman) took out the grade’s remaining awards.

Other awards:

Jim Ramus Award:

Chelsea Hunter.

50-game milestones:

Ethan Sambo; Campbell Stevens; Brad Dick; Bevan Bennell.

100-game milestone:

Darcy Stevens.

Doc Hassell Award:

Jett Stevens.