IT has been a week of achievements for Ararat favourite Kate Bligh, with the Rats' A grade player notching up her 200th senior match in Sunday's preliminary final before adding to that accolade by finishing equal runner-up in the Wimmera Netball Association's Heather Hatcher medal on Monday night.
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Bligh polled consistently throughout the 2014 season, with two votes in the final round seeing her fall just one short of winner Penny Fisher from the Warrack Eagles.
Bligh was equal runner-up on 26 votes with Horsham Demons' coach Zoe Heard.
The result saw Bligh improve on last year's fifth place finish in the league best and fairest, which had been the best of her 12-year A grade career.
"I honestly didn't think I'd had a very good year at all and then the girls talked me into going on the night and I thought maybe I'd get my 200-club award or something like that," Bligh said.
"I had absolutely no clue I would poll that well. The first half of the season I thought was okay, but in the second half I just thought I had no chance.
"I am still in shock, people have been congratulating me and I don't know what to say!"
Former coach Donna Spalding wasn't surprised by the midcourt player's achievement and said Bligh has always been a netballer with a high work ethic.
"She is a determined player who runs hard for four quarters and is always looking to improve her own game," she said.
"She is a very coachable player because she accepts constructive criticism, and is also a beautiful passer and very agile.
"I think Kate has been an underestimated player within the Wimmera, but our club certainly knows her strengths.
"I have loved coaching Kate and would have her in my side anytime."
Bligh is the sixth member of the Rats' current team to notch up 200 A grade games, along with Rebecca Skrabl, Megan Shea, Jakki Gibson, Tahnee Walker and Olivia West, while she also joins other club legends Gayle Dadswell, Claire Todd, Gail Dunn and Spalding.
"It felt amazing to reach that milestone," Bligh said.
"After I missed two full seasons having kids (in 2006 and 2010) I didn't think I would get anywhere near it.
"The girls that are in that club, I consider them even more like sisters than just best friends, because we are all that close and for that many of us to be in that 200-club is just amazing.
"We are all pretty excited about going to the (grand final) luncheon on Saturday!"
After playing all her junior netball with Landsborough in the Lexton Plains league, Bligh decided to make the move to the Rats in 2001, joining her husband Dale at the club.
Both Dale and Kate have excelled on the football field and netball court respectively during their time at the club, with Dale the winner of the 2003 Toohey Medal and Kate a five-time premiership player in A grade.
The couple have four daughters and with eldest Jesse into her second season playing in the 13 and under team which Bligh coaches she said it won't be long before Jordy, Demi and Andi follow suit and play netball with Ararat.
"Definitely, they have no choice!" Bligh joked.
"It is too late, they are already one-eyed Rats, there is no turning back now. They love going down to the club every weekend and donning the red and white.
"This year is Jesse's first full season and I just love seeing her run around in the team. For her to get league recognition like she did this year too (Wimmera Rising Star award), Dale and I are super proud of her.
"The girls that I coach are just beautiful. They all bring something different to the team and all have a really good positive attitude, but are such different characters.
"I have loved that experience. Getting up and taking off early in the morning was always a bit difficult, but Dale has been awesome. He has let me do what I needed to do this year and has looked after the girls and got them up and going."
While nine grand final appearances and five premiership medallions are Bligh's highlights on the court, she said it is the close bonds formed with her team mates and other club members that she cherishes most.
"Just the social aspect is the best part of it. Not just the netball side of things, but the friendships you form with people at the club overall is what is fantastic and keeps you coming back," she said.
"The old body was starting to talk to me at the end of this season, but I just love playing so hopefully I have a few years left yet."