Lachlan Healey from the Eastern Ranges and Lara Purchase from the GWV Rebels have been presented with the 2026 Talent League Personal Growth Awards.
The awards celebrate players within the Talent League who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and contribution to their community.
TALENT LEAGUE BOYS PERSONAL GROWTH AWARD
Lachlan Healy was recognised for demonstrating resilience, humility and courage beyond his years throughout 2026.
After completing rehabilitation for an ACL injury, Healey was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma early in the pre-season.
He attacked his treatment with a positive attitude and was an inspiration to all players, coaches and staff at the Eastern Ranges, educating the program about his diagnosis, treatment and the challenges he was facing.
After overcoming several rounds of chemotherapy and other significant health challenges, Healey remarkably made his return to the football field with his community club Montrose at the end of the season.
Finalists for the 2026 Talent League Boys Personal Growth Award were Mason Brown (Tasmania Devils), Billy Hilton (Murray Bushrangers), Tate Hodgson (Northern Knights), Blake Justice (Calder Cannons) and Riley Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers).
TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS PERSONAL GROWTH AWARD
Despite suffering a long-term injury early in the season, Lara Purchase demonstrated that being part of a team is about more than just what happens on the football field.
During her rehabilitation, Purchase chose to remain fully engaged with the Rebels’ program, going above and beyond by organising a fundraising and awareness initiative for mental health.
Purchase led the Rebels’ involvement in a Push Up Challenge to support Headspace and raise awareness for youth mental health issues. Under her leadership, GWV Rebels players and staff completed 66,510 push-ups and raised $3,699 for Headspace, creating a meaningful impact beyond football.
Finalists for this award were Marlee Black (Dandenong Stingrays), Mia Clark (Bendigo Pioneers), Grace Dillow (Gippsland Power) and Grace Perrett (Sandringham Dragons).