By LIAM TWOMEY
AFTER winning the Victorian Premier Cricket grand final earlier this month, Footscray Edgewater was given even more reasons to smile after the competition’s awards night.
In the Jack Ryder Medal, which is awarded to the best player for the Premier Cricket season, the Bulldogs continued their reputation for consistency with three players finishing in the top 17.
They were Dylan Kight, Travis Dean and Dean Russ, who all polled 21 votes from six matches.
The top prize was won by Prahran’s James Miller.
Miller claimed the Jack Ryder Medal in a dramatic final round, which saw him leapfrog Camberwell’s Simon Hill and St Kilda’s Matt Chasemore.
Miller was the leading wicket-taker in the home and away rounds with 47 wickets at 14.36 and also scored 602 runs at 37.63.
Throughout the night, the good news continued for Footscray, which also had two players named in the Victorian Premier Cricket Team of the Year.
Bulldogs captain Russ was joined by gun quick Jake Haberfield in the 12-man side while St Kilda’s Graeme Rummans was named captain.
Other members included David King, Simon Hill, Marcus Stoinis, Matt Chasemore, Aaron Ayre, James Miller, Ian Holland, Bryce McGain and Jake Reed.
Meanwhile, in the women’s Premier Cricket awards, Dandenong Lions all-rounder Sarah Elliott claimed her second Una Paisley Medal for the Premier Player of the Season.
The 32-year-old polled 36 votes and finished seven votes clear of Box Hill’s Meg Lanning.The Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit star amassed 491 runs at an average of 54 while also taking 13 wickets with the ball.
