WHEN Georgia Fuller scored three points as best on court in the round one win over Collingullie-Glenfield Park, the Griffith coach was simply relieved to get off the dreaded 'donut'.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But as the points kept coming in Friday's Riverina League player of the year count - polling ten times in her first 11 games - things started to get more serious.
Although the 26-year-old's momentum dried up late in the count, she did more than enough to win by five votes from Wagga Tiger Jess Allen.
It added to the coach of the year award Fuller won earlier in the week, after guiding the Swans to second place in just her second year in charge.
"I was definitely very shocked, really shocked actually. Even in our team it could have gone to other people, or also others like Mango (minor premiers Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes)," she said. .
"If I wasn't in a strong team as well and surrounded by good players, I probably wouldn't have been up there.
"I wasn't actually expecting any votes. I joked with my sister watching it live, when I got the first vote that at least I got myself on the board.
"But they kept coming and then i got nervous."
IN OTHER NEWS
Fuller said the best part of the count was the recognition for her side across the board.
"Everyone in our A-grade side got a vote, I liked that part of it the most I think," she said.
"Getting coach of the year was nice. I was flicking through Facebook and saw it and thought 'oh my goodness', and rang Mum."
Fuller said it was frustrating the youthful Swans couldn't put their game plan to the test when it counts in finals, but will ensure they return hungry next year.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters