JJ Clune Medal count: Towns captain Drew Forrester crowned 2025 GNFL best and fairest

Towns captain Drew Forrester has been crowned the 2025 JJ Clune Medalist after polling 42 votes at the Great Northern Football League’s night of nights.

Forrester claimed the top honour on Tuesday night at the GNFL’s JJ Clune Medal count, finishing four votes ahead of Railways teammates Flynn Dillon and Matt Kimberley who tied in second place.

Forrester’s feat saw his become the 14th Towns player to take out the JJ Clune Medal, making the Bulldogs as the home of the most JJ Clune medallists.

The 23-year-old said it was a pleasant surprise to hear his name called out at the conclusion of the vote count.

“It’s very much a surprise,” Forrester said.

“I remember my first year, I was thinking, it’d be lucky if I play a few seasons of league, let alone be a captain, and then now to progress to this.

“I never thought this would be possible for me.”

Forrester debuted at 17 for Towns in the back pocket in 2018 before moving to full-back soon after.

At only 20, Forrester was given the captaincy duties at Towns where he has been thriving as a leader on and off the ground.

This year Forrester was thrown into the midfield where he starred alongside teammates Callum Marquis and Zane Marwick, catching the attention of umpires and fans alike.

Forrester led Towns to their first final series this year since his debut season in 2018, something the young captain is proud to have achieved. Exiting in the first round of finals this year, Forrester believes there is more left to give in the future.

“Obviously playing in finals was great as a team to achieve but there is always the want to do more,” Forrester said.

“First finals since my debut season in 2018 so there’s been a couple of hard years and those times to stick fat.

“We’ve got a young team that is just getting better and better, and a very tight knit group and I don’t think we’re going to have many changes in the off season.”

With time on his side, the freshly crowned JJ Clune medallist said the ultimate goal was still to go all the way with his beloved Bulldogs under coach Beau Walker.

“This (JJ win) is definitely a career highlight but the club and I are still chasing that grand final,” Forrester said.

“We now have another year ahead of us to train and play the way that Beau (Walker) has been coaching us these last two years.

“If we stick together, and everyone develops their football, I think anything can happen next year.”

It was a fruitful night for Towns as women’s co-captain Oliva Bidwell shared the women’s fairest and best award with Northampton captain Mikenna Schultz.

Bidwell said it was a surprise but gave credit to the girls around her that helped her perform week in, week out.

“Honestly, I was really not expecting it,” Bidwell said.

“I was a bit taken by surprise, but obviously really thankful

“Having good teammates around me, allows me to work on my craft and knowing that I’ve got people around me supporting me and believing in me probably more than what I believe in myself, that that really helps me on the on the on the field.”

Bidwell and Towns are through to the grand final against Chapman Valley on Saturday as the two sides meet for the fourth time this year to decide the 2025 GNWFL premiership.

JJ CLUNE NIGHT WINNERS

JJ Clune Medal: Drew Forrester (Towns)

Women’s Fairest and Best: Olivia Bidwell (Towns) and Mikenna Schultz (Northampton)

Club Person of the Year: Tracy Campbell (Rovers)

Maurie Drennan Rising Star: Reid Foot (Brigades)

Jim Scott Reserves Best and Fairest: Stuart Gaby (Towns)

GNFL Umpire Association Best Umpires: Steve Pratt (field umpire), Lachlan Rowe (boundary umpire) and Craig Carson (goal umpire)

East Fremantle Most Promising Players: Reid Foot (Brigades) and Violet Sherrington (Brigades)

Wal Clarkson League Country Week Best Player: Blake Tazewell

Snapaction Leading Goal Kickers: Jaylen Parsons (league, 57 goals), Tayah Palmer (Chapman Valley, 32 goals), Clifford Campbell (Towns, 48 goals), Koby Browne (Railways, 32 goals)

Radio MAMA Sports Shed Footballer of the Year: Zane Marwick (Towns)