Sport
4 September, 2023
Ash Lierich honoured by Dunolly with new medal
A special ending to Dunolly’s 150th year celebrations will see them rename the club’s netball best and fairest to the Ash Lierich Medal. The club set out to honour their netball division in the same way that they have honoured Arthur ‘Joe’...
A special ending to Dunolly’s 150th year celebrations will see them rename the club’s netball best and fairest to the Ash Lierich Medal.
The club set out to honour their netball division in the same way that they have honoured Arthur ‘Joe’ Lacey with the naming of their marquee best and fairest after current A grade coach Lierich, who stands alone as the Eagles’ greatest netballer.
Lierich joined the club in 2005, playing in their under 17 team, but quickly showed she was an A grade standard player immediately, earning promotion to the A grade team, as well as helping the under 17s win the premiership that year.
Having since played in two A grade netball premierships in 2008 and 2009, representing the MCDFNL in interleague netball as a captain, as well as earning three Nalder Tracey Trophies in 2010, 2012 and 2017, Lierich has continued to play at a high level, and has been rewarded with the ultimate club honours in two successive years, having also received life membership in 2022.
Off-court, Lierich has also been recognised, taking the MCDFNL Wingman off-court champion award in 2013.
Lierich has continued to have a massive influence on the Eagles in 2023, having taken them from 13th in 2022 to the finals, where they were eliminated by Maryborough Rovers in the elimination final.
Dunolly netball president Mel Schodde says it was only fitting that the club honoured its greatest netballer.
“With our 150th celebrations this year, we went through our history books for the history of our netball club, and there is no one with achievements like Ash. We’ve had some brilliant netballers, but her achievements were a clear standout,” she said.
“To have her still involved at the club, with her dedication and contribution, it’s just been so invaluable.
“Everyone looks up to her at the club, especially in the juniors. She is an incredible role model. She gets the respect of the playing group and they stand in awe. They really respect her as a person and a player.”
The decision to honour Lierich was one that was a few years in the making, according to Schodde.
“We had been thinking about it for a few years, but we wanted to sit down and see how incredible her accolades are. It’s much the same as Arthur ‘Joe’ Lacey in our football history being a clear standout. We compared the pair — they’re both on par with what they’ve done for Dunolly,” she said.
Schodde reflected on the values Lierich has brought to Dunolly over the years, saying how well respected she has been by all in the league, regardless of whether she is a teammate or an opponent.
“Ash is very competitive when she gets on the court, but is also one of the cleanest defenders I have seen play,” she said.
“I’ve played alongside her for 15 years now, and she reads the play phenomenally, and I think she is respected by all her opponents, and perhaps a bit feared too, as she is difficult to play on. “At Dunolly, we’re so lucky to have her. It’s a privilege myself to play alongside her.”