Football
14 October, 2025
Fowkes caps off season with club best and fairest
Josh Fowkes has claimed the best and fairest for the Stawell Warriors Football and Netball Club, capping off a consistent season.
Fowkes, who joined the club last season from Navarre in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League, was best player in 10 of his 16 games with the Warriors this year, according to PlayHQ.
Fowkes said all in all, he didn't think his 2025 season was too bad, describing it as "reasonably consistent but with a few quiet games throughout the season".
His main role was playing in the ruck.
"(It was) trying to give the midfielders first use of the footy, providing pressure around the contest and sitting the next kick behind the footy attempting to intercept," he said.
And, thankfully, Fowkes was able to play the season free of injury, with only a couple of niggles, but he did admit playing off the back of nightshift with only a few hours' sleep was a challenge sometimes.
Fowkes said a highlight of the season for him was playing finals footy, where everything went up a level.
"Other than that we had a good win coming from six or seven goals down against Dimboola during the season," Fowkes said, referring to their round-seven win.
It came as a surprise to Fowkes to claim the club's biggest individual honour as he was convinced Sammy Williams had the award won.
"He had a great year, consistent and always leading from the front," Fowkes said of Williams.
When prompted as to what he did well to win the award, Fowkes laughed.
"I'm actually not to sure," he admitted.
"I don't do anything out of the ordinary training-wise so I guess it comes down to being fit and making footy training.
"Also, having a great relationship with my teammates and the coaching staff."
And although fans of the Warriors would love to see Fowkes back in the black and red next season, he's still not decided on what the 2026 season will look like, although it's an option to line up again at Stawell.
"I'll either go around again at Stawell or head back home to Navarre," Fowkes said.
"I have great mates at both clubs so it's definitely not an easy decision."
Other award winners in seniors for Stawell included best and fairest runner-up Sam Williams, leading goal kicker and most consistent Paul Summers, most improved Riley Ika, best player under 21 Owen Summers and coaches' award recipient Ethan Marrow.
Awards were also presented to the following players:
- reserves – best and fairest Shane Field, runner-up Hamish Smith; leading goal kicker Nick Considine; most consistent Bradley Carnovale; most improved Sonny Warren; coaches' award Tristan Hilbig; David Stanes award Rody Ika
- under 17s – best and fairest Rohan Newson, runner-up Mason Notting; leading goal kicker Mason Notting; most consistent Tom Collins; most improved Harry Pavey; best first year player Tom Collins; coaches' award Emmett Perry
- under 14s – best and fairest Dusty Wethers, runners-up Michael Segedinski; leading goal kicker Dusty Wethers; most consistent Rhenz Enriquez; most improved Liam Johnston; best first year player Jaxon Dunn; coaches' awards Felix Hastings and Lewis Nicholson
- netball A Grade – best and fairest Jemma Clarkson, runner-up Meg Walker; coaches' award Alannah Deutsher
- B grade – best and fairest Jade Cross, runner-up Katia Monaghan; coaches' award Katia Monaghan
- C grade – best and fairest Bree Garreffa, runner-up Cat O’Dea; coaches' award Molly Walker Sutton; best in finals Amelia Martin
- C reserve – best and fairest Michelle Beaton, runner-up Tracey Dark; coaches' award Al Cameron; best in finals Michelle Beaton
- under 17s – best and fairest Sophie Birch, runner-up Roxy Monaghan; coaches' award Phoebe Segedinski
- under 15s – best and fairest Zahli Mellor, runner-up Isabelle Thomas; coaches' award Matilda Egan; best in finals Isabelle Thomas
- under 13s – best and fairest Henry Dunn, runner-up Milla Freeland; coaches' award Mia Bailey; best in finals Mia Bailey.