LEONGATHA and former Inverloch-Kongwak player, Xavier Lindsay has become the first Gippsland Power player in a decade to claim the Morrish Medal as the best and fairest player in the Coates Talent League Boys competition.

Other Gippslanders to claim the top Under 18 gong include Alex Carr, Nick Graham, Dyson Heppell, Jarryd Blair and Matt Stolarczyk.

Lindsay's win was part of an historic double for Gippy Power with ball magnet Ash Centra claiming the girls best and fairest award.

He polled 21 votes to finish two ahead of runner-up Cooper Hynes from the Dandenong Stingrays. Calder Cannons midfielder Jayden Nguyen and Oakleigh Chargers on-baller Jagga Smith were tied in third place on 18 votes.

He averaged 23.4 disposals, 9.3 handball receives, 5.4 clearances and 5.2 inside 50m entries across his 12 appearances this season.

Lindsay received votes in eight matches, which included a stretch of four-consecutive best on ground performances from Rounds 15 to 18 before suffering a season-ending PCL injury during the final match of the home and away campaign.

Although Xavier played seven games for Leongatha in 2023, including five senior appearances and two thirds games, his heavy schedule this year, plus the late knee injury stopped him turning out for the Parrots in 2024.

Lindsay also had a fantastic year at representative level, earning All Australian selection after producing several outstanding performances for Victoria Country at the Marsh AFL National Championships.

He also pulled on the Australia jumper as part of the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys program in their game against VFL side the Footscray Bulldogs in April.

Speaking after the naming of Leongatha's teams for Saturday's grand final, Lindsay said it was an absolute honour to win such a prestigeous award.

"They told me prior to the night so I was down there for it which was great. Yeah, I said a few words, thanked mum and dad but to win it is a real honour," he said.

"The injury is progressing well, no surgery and I just had to have it in a brace for six weeks so it won't be an issue," he said.

Linsday said he had been apprached by a number of AFL clubs and was hopeful of getting his chance at the top level when the AFL Draft came up in November.

Leongatha took time out from their grand final team announcements in a packed Parrots' social rooms to pay tribute to Lindsay's work ethic and willingness to get around the club even though Under 18 commitments didn't alllow him to play any senior games for Leongatha this year.

Coates Talent League Girls competition best and fairest Ash Centra is one of the most hyped players ever to come out of the girls development ranks, some say the female equivalent in terms of ability and potential longevity in the game as Sale's other stellar product, Scott Pendlebury. She is tipped to be a high draft pick and emerge as one of the league's bankable new talents. Watch this space, they say.

MORRISH MEDAL (COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS BEST AND FAIREST)

Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power) 21 votes

Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays) 19

Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons) 18

Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) 18

Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) 17

Zak Johnson (Northern Knights) 16

Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons) 15

Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) 13

Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons) 12

Cody Anderson (Eastern Ranges) 11

Xavier Kardachi (Western Jets) 11

Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) 11