Dom Booth - Hay Lions best senior, as Bill Auldist earns his fourth Reserve grade B&F

By Lindy Stewart

Dom Booth is part of the Darwin contingent who were recruited in 2023 by Hay Lions from the NT Waratahs.

Dom has had a massive year leading the midfield all season, playing with total passion and commitment.

He is an inside ‘bull’ who displays class with the footy.

In every game he took it upon himself to beat the most dangerous mids from opposition teams throughout the season.

He was the catalyst for many attacking surges from centre clearances.

At only 23 years of age Dom is a potent mix of athleticism and physicality who shuts down the opposition midfield while still winning his own ball.

He plays a brand of footy that is uncompromising, an instant fit into the Lions team.

His pressure at ground level has been enormous, often bursting out of stoppages driving the ball into the Lions attacking 50 presenting forwards with plenty of scoring options.

In full flight, Dom would be the most damaging midfielder in the league.

Playing 13 games out of a possible 16, Dom was named in the best in 10 of those games.

Dom has taken out Lions Senior Best and Fairest by two votes, at 132, from Ferg Cattanach on 130 with daylight after that reflecting the dominant and consistent season they both had.

Ferg has been rewarded for his work rate, fitness and ability to get to contest after contest.

He is always composed with elite decision making under pressure.

He is tough in stoppage contestation which could get underrated because his outside work stands out so much.

He is team orientated with a defensive mindset that quickly turns to attack when the time is right.

Ferg was fittingly recognised in the champion data team of the year from 8000 players with an average of 33 possessions over the 18 round season.

Will Clark was third on 80 votes with Declan Watson and Brad Pocock equal fourth on 59 votes.

Impressive again from Watson having only played eight games of the regular home and away season.

Bill Auldist has taken out his fourth Reserve grade Best and Fairest despite missing six games, a third of the season.

Bill has the best set of mitts in the business with a perfect sense of timing.

There is no stronger contested mark than Bill Auldist in any grade and while originally a forward, Bill is now deep in the engine room of the backline.

His ability to read the play has thwarted many an opposition attacking plans.

To maintain such a high standard over many years is commendable and Bill is deserving of this award.

Below left: Reserve Grade mainstay Bill Auldist earnt his fourth Best and Fairest for the grade, despite missing six games of the 2023 season.

Right: Dom Booth, 2023 Hay Lions Senior Football Best and Fairest, showing his prowess and skill on the field.

Images: Hay Lions Football Netball Club.