Dolahenty shared the honour alongside Mooroopna's Maddison Wong, in what was her first official season with Benalla.

Her and her partner Sam Harris had planned to play for the club in 2020 before the season was abandoned.

The award, which is voted on by opposition coaches each round, was announced via a virtual presentation.

"To be recognised by your peers is really nice, not that we play for any recognition," Dolahenty said.

After the Saints found themselves without a coach at the start of the season, Albury-based Dolahenty raised her hand to carry out her first A-grade co-coaching appointment.

"I really enjoyed being able to impart a bit of knowledge to others, and coming from somewhere else, just bringing some different ideas," she said.

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But the GV League didn't feel too different from the Ovens and Murray for Dolahenty, with several familiar players around.

Former Wangaratta Rover and Toni Wilson medallist Stacey Emms coached the Saints' B-grade side, while former North Albury young gun Nakita Singe is now at Seymour.

"It was nice having a familiar face pop up occasionally," she said.

"The standard definitely is similar, and I kind of knew that already from playing interleague.

"They were always a team at state championships that we had strong tussles with.

"I was able to see different parts of Victoria."

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