Kain wins Sally McLean Medal by one vote in incredibly tight count
Sebastopol's Alice Kain won the Sally McLean Medal with 22 votes, just one ahead of Lake Wendouree's Sadie Cheesman.
Kain, a defender, claimed the medal on Monday night in a tightly contested vote where only five votes separated the top eight players. Alice Kain finished on 22 votes to Cheesman's 21.
North Ballarat champion Brydi Hutchinson and Ballarat's Dakota Blade tied for third. Kain said she had no idea she would poll so well, hoping at the start just to crack the top 10 or 15.
She called it an honour to stand alongside previous winners, many of whom are household names in the league. Sebastopol swept multiple awards that night and is now headed to the grand final seeking its first premiership since 1975.
- 1 vote (22 to 21)
- Winning margin
- 5 votes
- Vote spread in top eight
- Sebastopol
- Club
- 1975
- Last premiership
Why it mattersOne-vote margins in best-and-fairest counts are rare and show just how closely matched the competition was across the league this season.
AustraliaReflects the competitive depth of the Ballarat Football Netball League heading into the grand final weekend.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 10 d ago
