McDonald and Inglis take top honours

McDonald was awarded the Jack Ryder Medal after his season for the Demons which yielded 568 runs, at an average of 46.39, 54 wickets, at an average of 15.98, and three premierships.

After moving from Richmond in the off-season, the 28-year-old polled 37 votes to win by eight from St Kilda captain and triple Ryder Medallist Graeme Rummans, with Lloyd Mash, Matthew Chasemore, Ian Holland and Trent Lawford one vote further back in equal third place on 28.

Inglis, the VicSpirit T20 captain, was a standout winner, polling 36 votes, seven clear of her Brunswick Park teammate Tammy Norquay on 29, with Box Hill’s Anna Lanning two votes further back in third place with 27.

Despite missing nine matches representing Victoria and the Shooting Stars, Inglis still amassed more runs than any other player in the competition with 689 at an average of 53.00, including an unbeaten 180 against Melbourne.

The Premier Men’s Team of the Season was also named with Tom Donnell, Dean Russ, Rummans (C),  Solomon Mire, Mash, David Alleyne, Holland, McDonald, Rhys Adams, Marc Carson, Mark Stafford  and Bryce McGain all selected.

Box Hill star Meg Lanning was selected as captain of the Women’s Team of the Season which featured Elyse Villani, Inglis, Norquay, Kelly Applebee, Anna Lanning, Emily Smith, Alana King, Emma Kearney, Emma Gallagher, Alex Hartley and Laura Croft.

Melbourne’s unparalleled season in the Premier Men’s competition, in which they became the first team to win all three titles in the one season, was capped off with being presented with the JA Seitz Club Championship.

Ringwood’s Jackson Freeman was named the 2^nd XI Player of the Season, with Melbourne’s Tristan Larter claiming the award in the 3^rd XI and Ringwood’s Sam Wade the honours in the 4^th XI, while Coburg’s Catherine Morrow was awarded the Sue Woolcock Award for the Essteele Premier Seconds Player of the Season.

In other presentations made this evening, Melbourne University and Essendon Maribryrong Park won the Spirit of Cricket Awards in their competitions, while Eric Kelly collected the Umpires Recognition Award while Scott West (Main Ovals) and Simon White (3^rd and 4^th Ovals) were adjudged curators of the season.