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Railways’ Josh Mathers crowned the GFL’s finest for season 2024

Neale HarveyKalgoorlie Miner
Railways’ Josh Mathers is the 2024 Mitchell medallist.
Camera IconRailways’ Josh Mathers is the 2024 Mitchell medallist. Credit: Carwyn Monck/Kalgoorlie Miner

Railways winger Josh Mathers’ brilliant 2024 season in the Goldfields Football League was rewarded on Monday night with a decisive Mitchell Medal victory.

Mathers polled 42 votes to capture the award from Boulder’s Andy Higgins (32).

Kalgoorlie’s Bailey Norris and Railways’ Trent Reed tied for third place on 30 votes.

Fourth place was also a tie, between Mines Rovers’ Jordan Delbridge and Railways’ Jack Steel — each with 28 votes.

Mathers was instrumental in Railways’ dominance during the qualifying series that yielded 15 wins, complementing his hard running and massive work rate by also kicking 20 goals.

After the red-and-blacks brushed aside Mines Rovers in last Saturday’s second semifinal, Mathers will be a key figure in the grand final on September 14 when they chase a second flag in three years.

Also on Monday night, exciting Kalgoorlie teenager Isaac Billing was named the GFL rookie of the year and the Roos’ Rory Pumpa won the Len Stokes Medal as the colts fairest-and-best with 28 votes from teammate Harrison Tarasinski and Mines Rovers’ Chase Stubbs (23 votes).

Boulder’s Bryant Best led the reserves fairest-and-best voting with 57, claiming the Don Jones Medal from Mines Rovers’ Jake Littlewood (37).

Railways’ forward Marley Kelman was judged the women’s fairest-and-best player following a standout season that included 35 goals during the qualifiers.

She polled 55 votes to edge out Mines Rovers’ Jess Bolton (53).

The top-five was rounded out by Railways’ Rosalie Gent (42 votes), Mines Rovers’ Torrie Revell (41) and Boulder’s Gabrielle Moran (33).

Goal kicking awards were presented to Kalgoorlie’s Tish Clark (colts), Boulder’s Lewis Johns (reserves), Mines Rovers’ Chanelle Halligan (women’s) and Railways’ Chris Yarran (league), and Dave Roberts was named umpire of the year.

Former GFL chairman Steve Wojtowicz received honorary membership that recognised decades of loyal service and Mines Rovers were named champion club with 169 points from Railways (128).

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