Hannebery Riewoldt Winners

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Sydney's Dan Hannebery is the 2010 Rising Star. Just ahead of the first finals series, Hannebery was presented with the Ron Evans Medal by 2009 winner Daniel Rich from Brisbane. The award also comes with a $20,000 investment portfolio and a personal banker, both from the National Australian Bank, the award sponsor. NAB also sponsors the preseason games.

Hannebery won the nomination for a stellar performance in Round 2 against Adelaide in which he racked up 23 possessions. Ironically, he felt his performance could have been better, saying he felt he was a bit selfish and that his defensive efforts could have been better.

The voting panel of Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, Mark Ricciuto, Kevin Bartlett, James Hird, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich, Robert Walls and Kevin Sheehan awarded Hannebery the maximum 45 votes. Melbourne's Tom Scully was second with 35 votes, followed by Brisbane's Tom Rockliff with 24 votes and Melbourne's Jack Trengrove with 11. Eagle Nic Naitanui, who was expected to win the award early this season before falling away, polled just two votes. Those came from former Eagle Glen Jakovich and AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan.

Hannebery was drafted in 2008 and played seven games in his 2009 debut season. He remained in Melbourne to finish school in 2009 and traveled to Sydney when required. He emerged as a future star this season, playing 19 games and averaging 21 possessions per game. His ability to win the ball at clearances in contested situations were a highlight of his play as was his long kicking. He is ranked in the top ten at the Swans for disposals (398 through Round 22) and tackles (60 through Round 22).

Coach Paul Roos, who said at the start of the season that Hannebery had the makings for a breakout season this year, was proven right. He said Hannebery's performances had been consistently high and that he did not suffer mental lapses or struggle as some young players do. He praised Hannebery's ability to impact games on a regular basis. NAB CEO Cameron Clyne was also impressed with the young midfielder saying his "... spirit, courage and talent make him a worthy ... Rising Star.” .He is the second Swan to win the award, following Adam Goodes' win in 1999.

Source: AFL Record, Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt is the first Tiger to win both the club award and the Coleman Medal in the same season. The spring-heeled Riewoldt was also nominated for Mark of The Year in Round 11. The club's awards function was held several days after the completion of Round 22. Jack polled 210 votes to edge out captain Chris Newman (204 votes) for the Jack Dyer Medal. Two time winner Brett Delidio finished third with 193 votes. 2010 debutant Dustin Martin was fourth with 159 votes while Shane Tuck continued his streak of top ten placings as he came in fifth, followed by Shane Edwards and Trent Cotchin, who did well despite missing two games through suspension.

Riewoldt was a slow starter in the round by round count, but his six goal haul against Essendon gave him the lead. The next few rounds earned him plenty of votes, capped off with a perfect 25 for his impressive, eye-catching ten goal display against West Coast in Round 12. His Round 21 effort sealed the win.

He had an amazing 2010 season with three goals or more in 14 games, four or more in eight matches and 43 goals from Round 8-15. That effort represented the highest total for an individual in eight consecutive matches since Essendon's Matthew Lloyd in 2001. Riewoldt was also top at the club for marks (with 123), contested marks (54) and 79 inside 50s  (getting the ball to a teammate inside the 50 meter (55 yards) arc for scoring chances. He also laid 68 tackles for the season.

Newman's second placing was the best of his career. He averaged 19 disposals per game, was second for running the ball out of defense (79), finished fifth for disposals (410), fourth for marks (101), and equaled Riewoldt's tackle count.

Deledio also had an excellent season as a running defender. in 20 games, he had 20 or more disposals and had the most kicks (302). He was second for handballs (254), first for total disposals (556), second for marks (116), first for inside 50's (76) and first for rebound 50's (running the ball out of defense) with 93.

Dustin Martin,19, became a star almost overnight. In his debut season, he played 21 games (missing one through suspension) and averaged 20 disposals per game. He was ranked first for clearances (winning the ball at stoppages) with 97, third for disposals (425), inside50's (74), second in contested possessions (179) and fourth for tackles (70).

Tuck's first game was Round Three, but he was quick to impress and did so in his 20 games. He averaged 25 disposals per game. He also ranked highly in statistics - third for kicks (227), first for handballs (283), second for total disposals (510), second for clearances (92), third for inside 50's (66) and first for tackles (103).

THE VOTING: All five members of the match committee award 0-5 votes for each player per game. The most any one player can receive after a game is 25.

Other awards:
Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Best First Year Player: Dustin Martin
Francis Bourke Award: Chris Newman
Michael Roach Award for Leading Goalkicker: Jack Riewoldt
Most Improved Player: Shane Edwards

Jack Riewoldt was also awarded the Ian Stewart Medal for his best on ground performance against St Kilda in Round 21. He kicked six goals in that match and is the first Tiger to win the medal since its inception in 2004. The medal is named to honor Stewart as he played for both St Kilda and Richmond. Stewart was a premiership player with both clubs and won the Brownlow Medal while playing for both clubs. He played 127 games with the Saints 1963-1970, was a member of St Kilda's 1966 premiership team and won the Brownlow Medal in 1965 and 1966. He crossed to Richmond in 1971 where he played a further 78 games 1971-75 and won both the Brownlow and Richmond's best and fairest award in 1971. He played in Richmond's premiership team in 1973.

Previous winners of the Ian Stewart Medal are: Aussie Jones (2004), Nick Dal Santo (2005), Lenny Hayes (2006), Leigh Montagna (2007), Stephen Milne (2008, and Brendon Goddard (2009).

Source: richmondfc.com.au, Adrian Ceddia, Club Media Release

Adelaide's Richard Douglas was presented with the Malcolm Blight Medal as the club's 2010 best and fairest. He polled 35 votes to finish ahead of Scott Thompson (30 votes), Michael Doughty (27 votes), Brent Reilly (26), Graham Johncock (25), and Kurt Tippett (24). The top ten was completed by Ben Rutten (23), captain Simon Goodwin (22), and Scott Stevens and Nathan van Berlo (19 each).

Douglas earned votes in 19 of 22 games and polled the maximum four votes for his Round Nine performance against Brisbane. In that match he had 23 possessions, laid 8 tackles, and kicked three goals. Goodwin was a chance to overtake Douglas in the voting but his season was ended after Round 16 due to injury.

THE VOTING: the match committee confers to jointly award votes on a 4-2-3-1-0 basis after each game.

Other awards:
Best Team Man: Scott Stevens
Chairman’s Circle Emerging Talent: Rory Sloane
Chelsea Phillis Vice President’s Club Coach’s Award: Richard Douglas
Mark Bickley Award: Phil Davis
19th Man Award: Graham Johncock
Club Leading Goalkicker: Kurt Tippett

Source: David Burtenshaw, Club Media Release

Melbourne's Brad Green was honored for his best season ever with the club's Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy as the 2010 best and fairest. Truscott was a star for the club before being killed in World War II. Green polled 295 votes, ahead of defender James Frawley (277), and ruckman Mark Jamar (231). Frawley is the nephew of former Richmond coach Danny Frawley. Fourth place went to last year's winner Aaron Davey (194) and Colin Sylvia (170).

Green also won the Ron Barassi Leadership award as well as the Heart and Soul Award for his outstanding work on the field where he was rotated between a wing and the forward line. He kicked 55 goals for the season to finish sixth on the AFL goalkicking list, the best return of his career. He nailed three goals for more in ten games and kicked five in three games, all of which were personal bests. He also ranked sixth in the league for marks with 153.

Frawley, who debuted in 2007, had a breakout 2010 season, lifting his play to finish third on the AFL list for rebound 50's (running the ball out of defense). His ability to shut down forwards and clear the ball out of defense were features of his game.

Jamar also had his best season with 643 hitouts, second only to Docker giant Aaron Sandilands. Jamar's previous best was 261 hitouts in 2008.

Other awards:
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy (Club Ambassador: Colin Sylvia
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player): Tom Scully
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy (Melbourne's best & fairest VFL player): Brad Miller

In previous years, the match committee as a group awarded each player up to four votes per game so the best player could do in any given match was 16 votes. This year, Coach Dean Bailey and assistants Josh Mahoney, Sean Wellman, Scott West and Mark Williams used a different method. They each awarded votes to players.

Source: Ryan Larkin, Club Media Release, 2010 AFL Record Season Guide