Young Cherrypickers brought their 2026 season to a close on Friday night, with players, coaches and supporters gathering at the Young Services Club for the club’s annual presentation night.
It was a season that promised plenty for the Cherrypickers, particularly in First Grade, but injuries played a big part in the side’s campaign and ultimately made it difficult to build the consistency the club was looking for.
The First Grade side bowed out of the finals in the opening week after going down to Southcity Bulls, while the Under 18s progressed through to the second week before their season came to an end against the Kangaroos in the minor semi-final.
The women’s tackle side also made the finals before Southcity defeated them in the second week.
Despite the mixed results across the senior grades, there were plenty of individual performances to celebrate, with a number of players recognised for their efforts throughout the season.
Powerful forward Jonah Latu capped off a magnificent First Grade campaign by taking out both the Best and Fairest and Players’ Player awards.
Latu was a consistent presence through the middle for the Cherrypickers and was rewarded for a strong season.
Teenager Cooper Smith and star recruit Kane Ball shared the runner-up position in the Best and Fairest count.
Smith also took home the Best Back award and the Old Boys award after an impressive season, while Ball’s season was made all the more notable after he missed a sizeable portion of the campaign through injury.
Prop Aaron Slater was named Best Forward, with Max Jones taking out the Best Defensive Player award.
Nick Canellis was awarded Rookie of the Year in what was a hotly contested award, with plenty of local players getting their opportunity to make their Cherrypickers debut throughout the season.
That injection of local talent was one of the positives to come from the campaign, with a number of players getting their chance in senior football.
In Reserve Grade, Billy Lamb and Jack Rolfe shared the Best and Fairest award after strong seasons.
Ty MillGate-Ashe was named runner-up in the Best and Fairest and also took out the Best Back award, while Lamb added the Players’ Player award to his night.
Josh Barton was named Best Forward, with Edward Wood taking out Best Defensive Player after splitting his time between First and Reserve Grade throughout the season.
The Under 18s also had plenty to celebrate, with Harry Coddington taking out the Best and Fairest award.
Coddington also finished as the club’s highest point scorer for the season, finishing with 120 points from nine tries and 42 goals.
Jarryd Foster was named runner-up in the Best and Fairest, while Riley Noakes was awarded Best Forward and Hamish Hunter Best Back.
Sam Scott was named Players’ Player, with Lewis Shea taking out Best Defensive Player.
The women’s tackle side also recognised a number of players for their efforts throughout the season.
Josey Hoey claimed both the Best and Fairest and Best Forward awards after an impressive campaign.
Jamila Piercy was named runner-up in the Best and Fairest as well as taking out the Best Back award.
Grace Derrick was recognised as Players’ Player, while Chelsea Fleming was named Best Defender.
In League Tag, Tilly Wark was awarded Best and Fairest, with Breanna Caldwell and Josey Hoey sharing the runner-up position.
Evie Wark was named Best All Rounder, while Grace Derrick added another Players’ Player award to her night after also receiving the honour in the tackle side.
Derrick was also named Best Defender in League Tag, with Evie Stinson taking out Best Attacker.
While the Cherrypickers would have liked to have gone further in the finals, the presentation night provided an opportunity for the club to look back on a season that still produced plenty of positives.
With a number of local players given their opportunity in the senior grades and plenty of individual performances recognised, there was plenty to take away from the 2026 season as the Cherrypickers now turn their attention towards building again for next year.
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