Football
30 September, 2025
Miller best and fairest for Dimboola
Dimboola football captain, Ben Miller, has ended a brilliant and consistent season with his side by claiming the club's best and fairest.
Miller, who has been back with Dimboola since 2023, after a season in the Barwon Football Netball League, finished the best and fairest ahead of co-coach Andrew Moore, who was the runner-up.
According to Play HQ, Miller, who played predominantly as an onballer this season, was one of the best players in all but one of his 18 games this season, the exception being against Nhill in Round Four.
Miller admitted that while he wasn't expecting the honour, 2025 was his best season of footy yet.
"I think there are plenty of others on our side that play well," Miller said.
"But I also felt like it's been arguably the best year I have had also, and on that end, if you think it's been your best year, you are probably going to be in the mix at the end of the season, even though that isn't why I play."
Miller attributes his consistency, week in and week out, to his preparation and says he does everything possible off the field to prepare himself for playing.
"It's nutrition and training to get my body right," he explained.
"And I think I am just at an age where I know what I have to do.
"This year I have taken on a lot more from a business point of view, and I am getting married in about six weeks, so I feel like from a life point of view, I am the most settled I have been ever.
"I've got other things outside of footy, and I am not as consumed by it, and so when I need to be getting into it, I am fully focused on it.
"Mentally, and physically, at 27, I am at a good point in my life where I was sore towards the end of the season, but I was actually free of injuries."
Before the last couple of years, Miller said he had some decent injuries, but after that, he has been able to get some body continuity.
That's not to say the 2025 season was challenge-free, though, with Miller admitting there were times when he was exhausted mentally, and because of this, he isn't certain about lining up again next season.
"I'm at a point where it's probably not the be all or end all, my committments with work are high now, and I'm not going to say this year didn't come without its challenges from a mental point of view, I got really mentally tired, and had my own struggles with that, so I don't want to be rushing into doing anything," he said.
Meanwhile, other award recipients from the seniors in 2025 were the Rising Star award, going to Declan Paech, while the coaches' award was presented to Lachlan Mackley, and the goal kicking award was claimed by Jackson Calder.
Bridget Dorrington claimed the A Grade netball best and fairest, ahead of Stephanie Glover, while the coaches' award went to Rianna Kuhne, with Indy Ward receiving the award for Rising Star.
Other football results included:
Reserves best and fairest: Jack Wood, runners up: Will Schilling, coaches award: Angus Barry and goal kicking: Brayden Culhane.
Under 17s best and fairest: Reef Ward, runners up: Declan Paech, most consistent: Brody Thomson, most determined: Dane Paech and coaches' award: Eli Badua.
Under 14s best and fairest: Jasper Ward, runners up: Charlie Taylor, most consistent: Jaxon Bourke/Finn, best utility: Liam Clark and coaches' award: Angus Pilmore.
Other netball results included:
B Grade best and fairest: Olivia Dunstan, runners up: Emma Griffiths and coaches' award: Hannah Dubois.
C Grade best and fairest: Kayla Kalms, runners up: Kellie Laverty and coaches' award: Lucy Dorrington.
17 and Under best and fairest: Emily Taylor, runners up: Lyla Barry and Maya Schorback and coaches' award: Maddison Petschel.
15 and Under best and fairest: Giselle Clugston, runners up: Sienna Avery and coaches' award: Billie Ward and Sophie Cook.
13 and Under best and fairest: Milla Eldridge, runners up: Sierra Henderson and coaches' award: Ella Eldridge.
Also announced at the presentation were award recipients for club members.
James Barry was acknowledged with the Stan Barber award for his contributions within the club this season, particularly behind the scenes, where he completed the hidden jobs that people often don't see.
Karen Hunter, Trevor McBain, and Tracy Milthorpe were recognised with the Errol McDonald Award, acknowledging their dedication, efforts, and time spent on every game and training session, week in, week out.
Maryam Yahiat was acknowledged with the Julie Jones award for her contributions to netball, including coaching and mentoring junior netballers commencing their coaching journeys.
