Main takes out second De Grey Medal

Karratha Kats Ben Main has been crowned the best and fairest in the North Pilbara Football League after a gala vote-counting night in Wickham last week. NPFL players enjoyed a night out at the Rambla Bar and Bistro to decide the winner of the Colin Matheson Medal and De Grey Medal. Main was awarded the De Grey Medal for the second time in his career, with 15 votes for the season while South Hedland Swans’ Warwick Wilson was runner-up on 12 votes. Main said it was an honour to be recognised for the work he put in. “It was a bit of a shock; it was a consistent year but we’ve had some good players roll through our side,” he said. “The competition too is pretty strong, so to get the medal, I’m stoked, and it’s a bit of recognition.” In the other awards, South Hedland Swans’ Joe Ewan was awarded coach of the year for his work in getting his side up to second place on the ladder and securing a spot in the finals. Russell Turner was announced as the Pilbara finalist for the Optus Volunteer of the Year in recognition for his 23 years involved with the Dampier Sharks. In the reserves, Kats’ Jackson Davey took out the Colin Matherson best-and-fairest medal and won the leading goal kicker award.