Gippsland United honours its best

Gippsland United honoured its best, both on and off the field, at the club's senior presentation night recently with Oscar Sheehan taking out the George Ritchie Medal for senior best and fairest.

Described as an "explosive winger," Sheehan led the count from the opening round, polling a massive 20 votes in the first four rounds of the 2026 season and maintaining a lead that could not be caught.

Sheehan's athleticism, aggression and work rate are key ingredients to his high intensity brand of football, seeing him win the award in his 10th senior season after debuting at just 16 years of age in 2017.

Traditionally it's midfielders and defenders, who not only occupy most of the ball possession on a match-day, but also the attract the bulk of the votes.

In a fun fact for the club, in the past four decades of senior best and fairest winners, there have been 24 midfielders and 13 defenders that have taken home the club's top honour.

Sheehan became the first winger and only the third forward player in 40 years to win the prestigious award - one of which was his father Paul 25 years ago.

Runner-up in the senior count was Xavier Nardone, described as a classy midfielder who had his best season since cracking the NPL scene as a gifted teenager at Bulleen Lions.

A series of strong performances in the later part of the year saw Nardone surge up the vote count leader board. He polled all six votes in the final match to snatch second place by a solitary vote from skipper Nathan Lugton, and only one off top spot.

In the reserves, a 41 vote haul was testament to the football Beau Finlayson produced in season 2026 to take out the reserve's top honour.

Blessed with a silky touch and the ability to play in most positions, Finlayson leads by example. He was a standout in the reserves this year and more often than not was called on to complement the senior set up on a matchday.

Jayden Taylor was runners-up in the reserves. The determined young defender started the season carrying a nagging injury, but once fit, asserted himself exceptionally on a weekly basis and was a regular on the vote cards, missing out on top spot by a single vote.

Taylor works hard on both a matchday and at training and is a fine example to up-and-coming players with a desire to play senior footy.

The senior "player's player" award was presented to Nathan Lugton.
An award voted on by teammates, Lugton was a clear winner - testament to his professionalism, commitment, leadership and the high example he sets to others.
The reserves "player's player" award went to Brody Demagistris, described as the heartbeat of the reserves team, on and off the field and a talent who will be knocking on the door of regular first team football next year.
The Cyril (Sid) Byers Rising Star award was presented to Nicolas Nardone who was described as a fine example of a player who had progressed through the advanced junior programs, taking the next step and aligning himself with the club's vision of providing young players the opportunity to progress to senior footy.
His performances in the reserve's midfield were rewarded and he earned his first start in the senior team this year.
The Jan O'Dea Outstanding Female Volunteer Award was presented to hands-on club president Tara Dennison.
In her first term as president, and the first woman to lead the club, Tara has been a strong leader and dedicated volunteer who put her heart and soul into the role.
When the O'Dea family came together to select a candidate for the new club award - that not only commemorated the services of a late life member and influential female volunteer, Tara was their obvious choice.