The 2025 season wrapped up last Friday evening with the Hampton Rovers Presentation Night held at Sandy by the Bay where new B&F winners were announced for both the senior men’s and women’s.
Despite a disappointing year on the field with no teams reaching finals, it was great to still see a full room down at Sandringham of players, officials and supporters, and a great night was had by all. And the vibe in the room was, as it has been all season despite the challenges, extremely positive.
Congratulations goes to Joel Melnjak for winning the Senior Men’s Best & Fairest and picking up the Bob Cave Medal and Memorial Trophy. We think he may be the first non-midfielder to win this award since Gary Carr in 2007. A great achievement and well deserved following an outstanding season under enormous pressure.
In the Senior Women’s, Holly Brodribb was named best first year player and won the B&F. What can be said about Holly – hard at the ball and the player and at the same time adding a bit of glamour to match days! Great to see the first woman to play 100 games in Mandy Naylor named as the Rover of the year.
In the Ressies, Oscar Donald and Peter Somogyi were joint winners and in the Under 19’s, Harry Ockerby had a very popular win.
Our esteemed President Gary Nash picked up another Best Clubman Award in a year when the pressure was on from Grand Final day in 2024!
Of the life memberships awarded in 2025, Jamie Stanfield, a man who has dominated the Best Clubman Award in recent years was awarded his Life Membership which was richly deserved.
The night concluded on the balcony where incoming senior coach Paul Carrigan addressed the playing group in preparation for the 2026 season. The passion that this man has for the club is fantastic and the skills he has clearly demonstrated in the Under 19 sphere over the last few years have been obvious. Fair to say everyone was up and about!
2025 Award Winners
Senior Men
Best & Fairest: Joel Melnjak (Bob Cave Medal & Bob Cave Memorial Trophy)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Lachlan Costello
Most Loyal: Christian Carnovale
Most Resilient: Joel Melnjak
Best First Year Player: Owen Bater
Senior Women
Best & Fairest: Hollie Brodribb (Sue Anderson Medal & Sue Anderson Perpetual Award)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Tiara Annear
Equal 3rd Best & Fairest: Bryanna Arnold & Casey Politarhis
Best 1st Year Player (Jodie Combe Perpetual Trophy Award) Hollie Brodribb
2025 Rover of the Year: Mandy Naylor
Reserves
Best & Fairest: Scott Ebbott & Peter Somogyi (Dom Devola Medal)
Equal Runner Up Best & Fairest: Oscar Donald & Damon O’Shea
Most Improved: Darcy Lyon
Under 19’s
Best & Fairest: Harry Ockerby (McGregor Medal)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Cohen Friend
3rd Placed Best & Fairest: Mason Carrigan
Most Determined: Lucas Rankine
Best Team Player: Archie Steedman (Mark Johannsen Memorial Trophy)
Thirds/Development Team
Most Valuable Player: Noah Velten
Most Determined: Jacob McLean
Most Courageous: Darcy Merlo
Most Consistent: James Young
Best Team Player: Ollie Anderson
Special Awards
Best Clubman: Gary Nash
Life Membership: Jamie Stanfield
