MIDFIELD dynamos Charlotte Connick and Louis Dews have received the top gongs at this year’s Nelson Bay Marlins AFL Club Awards Night.
The gifted centres were named the Marlins’ best and fairest award recipients after superb performances in the 2026 Hunter Central Coast AFL Black Diamond Senior Women’s Cup and Senior Men’s Cup competitions.
Connick proved a tower of strength as vice-captain of the Nelson Bay women’s team where she enhanced her reputation as one of the region’s best playmakers.
As well as leading the Marlins to this year’s Cup finals series, Connick represented Hunter-Central Coast in their 72-10 victory over AFL South Coast in Canberra and was named in the HCC Senior Women’s Cup Team of the Year.
Experienced campaigner Dews proved a mainstay in the Marlins’ men’s team that reached the preliminary final against premiers Newcastle City and was best on field in nine of his 16 matches this season.
An inspirational leader, he booted nine goals to swell his career tally to 83 in 120 matches for the Nelson Bay club.
Champion forward and centre Wayd Blackburne received the Wayne Weaver Perpetual Award for his tremendous service to the Marlins, with treasurer and sponsorship guru Kris Flegg named Club Person of the Year for a second successive season.
Talented fullback Adam Blyth took out the Club Team Player Award.
Just days after receiving the Elliott Davey Medal as the joint best and fairest player in the Hunter Central Coast Senior Men’s Cup, club legend Billy Barton collected the Leading Goal Kicker trophy with 44 goals from 17 matches.
Barton shared the Davey Medal with Terrigal-Avoca Panthers’ super boot Harrison Pitt, who bagged an incredible 105 goals from his 17 games in the 2026 series.
Top forward Sophie Elliott finished the leading women’s kicker for Nelson Bay this season with 12 goals from as many games.
Other trophy recipients included fullback Olivia Feldman and follower Zane Grant (Players’ Player Awards); half forwards Milla Gainsford and Harry Gordon (Marlins of the Year); follower Jazlyn Stevens and half back Sam Norton (Best Player Under 20 Awards); half forward Scarlett Lack and half back Jason Carey (Most Consistent Awards) and follower Annalise Norton, along with centre Hudson Roche and follower Zane Grant (Runners-up Best and Fairest Awards).
By Chris KARAS
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