Best & Fairest - Andy Hodgson

Deserved winner who gives his all each and every week. As captain Andy provided great leadership and led by example. You new what you were going to get each week from Andy!  He was strong, fearless, courageous and would win his own ball.  Each and every week he would squeeze every ounce of energy out of his body and would play whatever role was required for the benefit of the team. 

His second and third efforts and gut bust running off half back and through the midfield was something to behold. Very durable playing every game this season and played most of the season as a midfielder and running half back as well as times where he was needed to hold down centre half back. 

A great season and a great example of the rewards that come if you are prepared to work hard for each and every minute of the game.

Runner Up Best & Fairest – James Gaff

A very classy midfielder / wingman who reads the game exceptionally well.  Gaffy is exceptionally quick, has sublime skills and is a joy to watch.  You know when the ball is in his hands that something exciting is about to happen.  His understanding of the game is excellent.  Gaffy would work hard running back into defence for the switch and then would take off through the midfield and run hard forward and kick goals which he did regularly during the season.  He played his best footy when he took a risk and took the game on and when he put the burners on, no-one could catch him down the wing. Gaffy has excellent skills both sides of his body and works hard to get to the right spot. 

A great effort to finish second polling votes in 9 of the 11 games he played this year.

3rd Best & Fairest – Adam Poulton

Strong, hard running midfielder who had a very consistent season. Adam played in a number of positions throughout the year - midfield (ruck rover, centre & wing), key position at both centre half forward and centre half back and also as a running half back.  Adam’s fitness enabled him to cover great territory and was a great midfield weapon that could run and carry and also stretch the opposition with his strong overhead marking.

He was strong in the contest and gave us great drive off half back and through the midfield.  One of our more vocal players and up for the challenge, he could be often heard revving up the players and was a very positive influence around the group.  Pushed through injuries and always put up his hand to do a job.  An unfortunate injury in the 14th round (2 weeks before the finals) saw Adam dislocate his shoulder and his season looked over. Amazingly he was up and about within 1 ½ weeks and made it back for the preliminary final in an astonishing 3 weeks (Superman!).

Was an instrumental part of the leadership group and gave great leadership both on and off the field.  A great footballer, quality person and I really enjoyed coaching him and challenging him.

Most Improved – Hamish O’Donnell

Hamish (aka Hammer) had a wonderful year and was one of our key backmen for the majority of the year.  The opposition forwards would have dreaded playing on him.  He was tough, relentless, fearless and his attack on the footy was one of the best in the side.  He was a wonderful team contributor prepared to play his role for the benefit of the team. 

He was rarely beat and kept opposition forwards scoreless on a number of occasions.  Was instrumental in one game going to the Ruck and having an immediate impact with 4 center clearances in a game where we had not won one up until that stage.  His commitment could not be questioned. One of the best and hardest trainers who attended all sessions from December except for one session when he was away on a school camp. 

Played all year with great enthusiasm and was a popular team member.  His progression was such that this year he was one of the first picked being able to hold down a key defensive position. 

Coaches Award – Xavier Troy

Very versatile, running midfielder who can go forward and kick goals.   Had a fantastic year and finished equal 6th in the YJFL league Best & Fairest only 6 votes from 1st place!.  Xavier has silky skills on both sides of his body who is a delight to watch running up and down ground.  Battled through a knee injury early in the year but still managed to get himself up each week and played every game this year.  A model footballer who prepares himself well each and every week without fail.  Attended every training session this year and when he took to the track he trained at a high intensity and at a high quality of output (as close to game simulation as you could get).  For all his hard work and professionalism he was justly rewarded with consistent efforts every week and was a regular in the best each week, a top ten finisher in the YJFL and polled well in Greythorn’s B&F. 

Xavier was part of the leadership group this year and was a great leader, something that seemed to come naturally to him.  Xavier was positive, vocal and had great input into team plans and ideas throughout the year.  He was a pleasure to coach, was a great team contributor and very good footballer who had a great season and thoroughly deserves the results and accolades he achieved this year.

Rising Star – Guy Dickson

Guy had a challenging year this year and came through with flying colours. Battling the commitments and the strain on his body of Oakleigh Chargers, Vic Metro, Carey and Greythorn was compounded with the breaking of his wrist and dislocating his thumb during the year.

Many a man would have given in but not Guy. Guy played many games this season sore (particularly at the start of the year) but did so to help the team as we were short of players through injury, however even not fully fit Guy dominated most games.

When uninhibited, watching Guy was like watching an F111 fighter plane in full flight. Simply exhilarating! Playing mostly as a key forward (sometimes at CHB when we needed a rock to stop the opposition), Guy would launch himself from deep in the forward line or run back with the flight of the ball crunching packs and coming up with the ball. His contested marking and physical presence in packs was simply amazing and lifted the whole team.

There was no doubt when Guy was up and about having a crack we were a different team.

Of all the young men I have seen over the last 20 years, Guy has the ability to go all the way. He is fast, physically strong, brave, works hard and is exceptionally good overhead. However as he found out this year, when you move into AFL development squads there are many talented players and it comes down to who works the hardest to constantly improve to get ahead of the field.

I have no doubt that he has the make-up, ability and self-belief to push through and do the work (he has the ability) as he did this year playing with a dislocated thumb in 2 finals and being an outstanding contributor in both games. I will watch with interest (as I am sure many will) of his development over the next few years.

Congratulations on a great season where you made a huge impact under trying circumstances in only 8 games (equal 4th in the YJFL B&F only 5 votes off 1st place).  Best of luck for the future.