WAFLW 2023: Bunbury Football Club product Ruby Mahony finishes runner-up in 2023 Dhara Kerr Medal

Bunbury Football Club product Ruby Mahony finished runner-up in Monday night’s Dhara Kerr Medal in Perth, on the back of a fantastic season with WAFLW outfit Swan Districts. Mahony, who polled 19 votes — five behind Claremont’s Jaymee Harken — lead the count with four rounds to go. When asked about her chances to claim the medal by WAFLW Awards co-host Ashleigh Nelson, Mahony told her leading the count was a pleasant surprise. “There’s always good banter from the Swannies girls,” she said. “It is amazing. Myself and teammate Indiana West drive up (from Bunbury) — two hours, twice a week. “The league has improved every year.” Mahony has returned to the SWFL women’s competition with Bunbury in the aftermath of Swans’ first semifinal loss against East Fremantle on July 2. Bunbury club president Tom Busher told the South Western Times that Mahony’s positive influence at Payne Park also extends off the field. “The club is absolutely rapt for her,” he said. “If you look when she comes down to train, Ruby is always one of the earliest to arrive — she does extra running, work, all while smiling and being very bubbly. “She gets the girls all up and engaged doing things. “Win, lose, or draw, Ruby’s always coming off the ground lifting the team and their morale. For her to go up there (Swan Districts) and find out she is good enough to have a season like this, is just wonderful for her.” On the back of several successful seasons at club and representative level, the 23-year-old was contacted by Swans coach Adam Dancey last season and given a chance to play at WAFLW level, where she became a regular selection in the league team. Aside from shaking off some niggling injuries at times throughout her stellar 2023 campaign, Mahony’s tackling pressure matched her ability to contested possessions in traffic — laying more than 10 tackles in four matches. Coincidentally, three of these significant tackling performances were against Claremont and East Fremantle, who will square off in Saturday’s WAFLW grand final at Mineral Resources Park.