IN PICTURES: Southern Wheatbelt’s 2023 Sport Year in Review

After enjoying a well-deserved break from the pitch, field, court, or pool, many of us are gearing up for another exciting journey in pursuit of sporting glory. Last year witnessed a mix of sporting triumphs, heartache, remarkable individual performances and farewells. The Narrogin Observer takes a trip down memory lane, recapturing some events that shaped the 2023 sporting landscape. 1 Cuballing bagged cricket premiership Cuballing completed a big upset in the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade grand final, lifting the premiership cup against Williams in Williams in May. 2 Overthought galloped to victory Tough stayer Overthought went one better than her 2022 effort to claim the 2023 $70,000 XXXX Gold Narrogin Cup (1900m) in April. 3 Pingelly netball umpire earned national nod Pingelly’s Rheannon Turton was selected to referee the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Championships in Perth in April. 4 Georgia Ellis won third successive State title Teenager speedway star Georgia Ellis had done herself proud after securing her third successive WA Quarter Midget State Title earlier this year. 5 Williams Cats suffered grand final heartache Williams players were in despair after they were downed by Narrogin in the Upper Great Southern Football League reserves grand final in Wagin. 6 Narrogin’s Malachi Bolton claimed best-on-ground honours Narrogin Hawks midfielder Malachi Bolton was instrumental in his side’s victory and was named best on ground to claim the Greg O’Neill Medal. 7 Narrogin colts completed three-peat Narrogin defeated Wagin to claim a three-peat of colts premierships in the Upper Great Southern Football League. 8 Williams claimed A1 premiership glory Williams downed Wagin to cap off a brilliant turnaround with premiership in their first season back in NDNA A1 competition. 9 Rodney ‘Rocket’ Johnson stepped down A larger-than-life character with a passion for community sport, Rodney ‘Rocket’ Johnson stepped aside from his role as Upper Great Southern Hockey Association hockey development officer after nearly two decades of service. 10 Williams’ Simon Panizza won Leo Graham Medal Talented Cats midfielder Simon Panizza polled in the final round to win his first Leo Graham Medal, capping off a stellar individual season. 11 Narrogin’s Matilda Dyke signed for Essendon Bombers After being overlooked in two national drafts, Narrogin’s Matilda Dyke’s dream of making it onto an AFL list came true. 12 Pingelly’s Tom Blechynden won WJ Hughes Medal Pingelly football star Tom Blechynden capped a brilliant WAFL season with his first WJ Hughes Medal as South Fremantle’s fairest and best player.