Lachlan Carver, the 14-year-old son of retiring Lancaster Football Club coach Corey, didn’t end his season empty handed though – walking away with the Goulburn Campaspe Junior Football League’s under-14 best and fairest award.
It was more of a sprint than a walk though as he crushed the field to win the Keith Saddlier Medal by 11 votes, polling in 10 of the 11 games his St Augustine’s under-14 team played this season.
By way of compensation, both Lachlan and Corey’s teams were, however, awarded the minor premiership after finishing on top of their respective competition ladders.
The Goulburn Campaspe competition, unlike the Kyabram District League, did decide to award the St Augustine’s under-14 team premier status. The team missed out on a grand final by just 24 hours as the season was called off the night before the game was due to be played.
Not to be left out of the talented family’s celebrations, Lachlan’s mother Sheree was recognised as the Goulburn Campaspe competition’s administrator of the year, and his little brother, Riley, was also a member of the all-conquering St Augustine’s team.
Kyabram’s Angus Scoble was runner-up to Lachlan in the Saddlier Medal count, on 17 votes, again well clear of Rochester duo Jordy Rasmussen and Lachlan Joyce (10 votes).
Lachlan’s teammate Oliver McCormick was the next best of the unbeaten St Augustine’s’ team, on eight votes.
The administrator of the year award is named after the late Greg Stokes.
Footy talk at the dinner table is nothing new for the Carver family. The passionate sporting family is either deep in discussion about the KDL Wombats, Lachlan and Riley’s St Augustine’s or about their beloved Essendon Football Club.
Fittingly, Lachlan’s favourite player Darcy Parish – like him – had a dominant year in the midfield and also polled strongly in the AFL’s version of the league best and fairest award, finishing fifth.
The junior vote count was held a week ago via Zoom. The family crowded around the television to watch on as Lachlan polled eight best-on-ground awards and was twice judged as the second best player afield.
He will this year cross to the Kyabram Football Club’s under-16 team, his speed and footy IQ destined to have him excel again in the Goulburn Valley competition.
Earlier this year he was rewarded with representative duties as a bottom age under-15 player with the Bendigo Pioneers squad. He won’t turn 15 years old until February next year.
And expect the Carver name to continue to be part of the football landscape in Kyabram as their involvement in the game looks set to kick up a gear in 2022.
Hopefully a grand final win of their own will be a part of next season.
