Club Awards

Post Grand Final News

Lisa Albergo — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:48:28 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL

Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell was reported during the Grand Final for forceful front-on contact against Geelong's Gary Ablett. The Match Review Panel (MRP) reviewed the incident and determined that Mitchell's contact on Ablett was caused by Mitchell being pushed into Ablett by Cat Cameron Ling. The MRP further determined that Mitchell did try to minimize the impact by trying to slow down before making contact with Ablett. They also determined that most of the contact was made to Ablett's shoulder and that the minimal contact made by Mitchell to Ablett's head was an attempt by Mitchell to protect himself. The charge was dismissed.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

HAWTHORN

While the club has yet make a formal announcement, Hawthorn is set to make over close to or over $5 million in profits.The premiership win boosted already healthy memorabilia sales and there are also sponsorship rewards and the AFL prize money for the Grand Final win. The club, despite spending close to $2 million on the football department, still made a profit of over $3.5 million last year. The Hawks also have a very lucrative deal for their four "home" games in Tasmania, which could also bring in a bonus of several hundred thousand dollars for the premiership. Club membership also increased to 41,500 in 2008, up from 31,000 in 2007.

Crawford Breaks Record Drought

AFL history is littered with great names of the game who played for years without ever experiencing the joy of winning a Grand Final. Robert Harvey is one of the latest who retired without premiership glory. Others include Melbourne legend Robbie Flower and Sydney Coach Paul Roos, who played over 300 games without being part of a winning Grand Final team.

Hawk midfielder Shane Crawford ended his premiership drought and holds the record for the longest wait for a player to be part of that last Saturday in September thrill. The Grand Final was Crawford's 305th game. The previous record was held by Paul Williams who played for Collingwood before joining Sydney and playing in the 2005 Grand Final. Behind him are: (268 games for Brisbane before the 2001 premiership), Greg Wells (256 games for Melbourne and Carlton before the 1981 premiership), Alastair Lynch (249 games for Fitzroy and Brisbane before the 2001 premiership) and John Rantall (244 games for South Melbourne and North Melbourne before the 1975 premiership).

Hawthorn's Stewart Dew also joined an elite list of players. He is only the 27th player to play in winning Grand Final sides for two different clubs. Dew was a member of Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership team. Dew retired at the end of 2006, but decided to return to football in 2008 and was drafted by the Hawks.

Trent Croad and Lance Franklin both had to cut short their premiership celebrations to have surgery. Croad needed the surgery to repair his broken foot, suffered during the Grand Final. Franklin required minor surgery on a "loose" shoulder joint. He played out most of the season with the shoulder heavily strapped. According to club officials the surgeries will not delay the players' return to preseason training.

Lance Franklin has won the Peter Crimmins Medal as the club's 2008 best and fairest. Franklin polled 217 votes while midfielder Sam Mitchell finished second with 177 votes and Luke Hodge was third with 175 votes. Franklin, 21, gained votes in all but one game with his best matches coming against Brisbane in Round Five, Round 11 against Essendon, Round 18 against Collingwood and the Qualifying Final against the Bulldogs. Franklin was also presented with a commemorative medal to recognize his winning of the Coleman Medal. As always, the Crimmins Medal was presented by Peter's widow Gwen. Peter Crimmins was club captain in the 1970's and passed away from cancer in 1976.

The Top 10
Voting: The four-man match committee can award up to four votes per player per game. Four votes are awarded for exceptional games, three votes for the best player or players, 2 votes for a good game, 1 vote for a player or players who beat their opponent.

Lance Franklin   216
Sam Mitchell     177
Luke Hodge       175
Jarryd Roughead  172
Michael Osborne  154
Cyril Rioli      151
Chance Bateman   149
Brad Sewell      148
Grant Birchall   148
Campbell Brown   136

Other Awards:
Best Finals Player - Luke Hodge
Best First Year Player - Cyril Rioli
Most Improved - Tom Murphy
Most Consistent - Jarryd Roughead
Best Clubman - Chance Bateman

Source: Clinton Brown, Club Media Release; Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release; Melbourne Age & Herald Sun

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Daniel Cross won the club's Charlie Sutton Medal as the 2008 best and fairest. Cross finished with 191 votes, well ahead of Brownlow Medalist Adam Cooney (167 votes). Matthew Boyd came in third with 163 votes.

Cross, who just missed out on final selection for the Dream Team Tribute Match, was drafted in 2000 but had to bide his time with the likes of Scott West, Mitch Hahn and Paul Dimattina ruling the Bulldog midfield. That draft produced a number of today's stars, including Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Alan Didak, Shaun Burgoyne, Daniel Kerr, Kane Cornes and Jamie Charman.

Club captain Brad Johnson praised Cross for his hard work, dedication and determination which saw Cross rise from a fill-in player to an elite midfielder and a certain starter from week to week. Johnson is sure Cross will be a 200-gamer for the club.

The Top 10
Voting: The four members of the match committee can award 1-5 votes for each player per game.

Daniel Cross        191 
Adam Cooney         167 
Matthew Boyd        163 
Dale Morris         149 
Daniel Giansiracusa 132 
Jason Akermanis     130 
Robert Murphy       129
Ryan Hargrave       119
Ryan Griffen        117
Lindsay Gilbee      111

Other Awards:

Scott West Most Courageous Player - Daniel Cross
Best First Year Player - Callan Ward
Most Promising Player - Jarrod Harbrow
Match Committee Award - Dale Morris
Community Award - Shaun Higgins
Bruce Wilkinson Award (Trainers) - Daniel Cross

The Most Courageous Award was named in honor of the retiring Scott West this year. West, 33, played just a handful of games this year due a stress fracture in his left knee. He finished out the season in the VFL. West played 324 games since his 1993 debut, averaged 30 possessions per game, and won a club record seven best and fairest awards.
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Brad Johnson, who debuted a year later, said West had been a big influence in his own development as a player and that he wouldn't be the player he is today without West's help. He went on to say that West always gave plenty of guidance to the playing group and that the experience, knowledge and support he imparted on his teammates was huge and that it would be sorely missed.

SCOTT WEST
Best & Fairest: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005
All-Australian: 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006
International Rules Series: 1999, 2000
AFL Rising Star nominee 1993

Source: Stacey Mair, Club Media Release

ESSENDON

Ruckman David Hille is the club's 2008 best and fairest winner. Hille had an outstanding season, perhaps the best of his career. He proved to be a dominant and consistent player before a hand injury ended his season. He polled votes in 14 out of 20 games with his best performances in Rounds 12 and 13 against the Eagles and Carlton. In those two games he picked up 26 out of a possible 30 votes. Hille won with 256 votes, 50 ahead of second-place Matthew Lloyd while Brent Stanton (188) finished third. Hille was drafted in 1999. He made his debut in 2001, has played 144 games and kicked 106 goals.

The Top 10
VOTING: Three members of the match committee can award a maximum of 10 votes to a maximum of eight players per game.

David Hille     256 
Matthew Lloyd   216 
Brent Stanton   188 
Jobe Watson     178 
Mark McVeigh    144 
Angus Monfries  140 
Patrick Ryder   138 
Andrew Welsh    134 
Dustin Fletcher 133 
Henry Slattery  133 
Sam Lonergan    121

Other Awards:

Bill Hutchison Award - Nathan Lovett-Murray
Rising Star Award - Kyle Reimers
Most Courageous - Henry Slattery
Striving for Excellence - Angus Monfries
Most Improved - Sam Lonergan
Leading Goalkicker - Matthew Lloyd

Source: Cara Pelchen, Club Media Release

ADELAIDE

Nathan Bock's career best season has won him the Malcolm Blight best and fairest award. Bock played all 23 games and polled 162 votes to win out over Simon Goodwin (151) and Scott Thompson (147). It is his first win. Up to four votes per player per game are cast by each member of the match committee.

Bock played 18 games in 2005 but missed much of 2006 with stress fractures in his back. Bock won All-Australian honors this year as well as being named at center half back in the AFL's Dream Team for the Tribute Match.

Forward Ken McGregor, who played just seven games in 2008, has retired. McGregor, 27, was often overlooked by the match committee in favor of younger players. The club has a number of young forwards in Kurt Tippet, Nick Gill, James Sellar and Taylor Walker. Trent Hentschel (knee reconstruction) is also due back in 2009. McGregor played 152 games for the Crows. He won a Rising Star nomination in 1999 and played in the club's 2003 preseason premiership team. McGregor will return his original club Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL to continue his career.
Source: afc.com.au & afl.com.au

MELBOURNE

Cameron Bruce has won his first Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy as the club's 2008 best and fairest. He won the award with 75 votes, ahead of fellow midfielder Brock McLean (60) and Brad Green (57). Bruce was the only player to play all 22 games in 2008 and averaged 25 possessions per game, the highest of any Melbourne player. McLean was having an excellent year himself in his 14 games and may well have won the award if an ankle injury hadn't ended his year prematurely.

Retired players Jeff White, Adem Yze, Ben Holland and David Neitz were also honored at the ceremonies. The club also inducted six people into their Hall of Fame. The inductees were Joe Blair (chairman 1929-46), long-time volunteer Dudley Phillips (Unsung Hero), 1964 premiership player Barry Bourke, and Greg Healy, Todd Viney and Sean Wight.

The Top 10
Voting: The five members of the match committee can each award up to four votes each for as many players as they want after any given match. The maximum votes a player can receive after a game is 20.

Cameron Bruce       75
Brock McLean        60
Brad Green          57
Matthew Warnock     47
James McDonald      46
Brad Miller         40
Cale Morton         40
Clint Bartram       39
Paul Wheatley       39
Austin Wonaeamirri  39
Matthew Bate        38

Other Awards:
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy (Coach's Award) - Matthew Warnock
Ian Ridley Club Ambassador Award - Clint Bartram

This was the first year for this award and recognized Bartram's contributions to the community, his appearances representing the club and his general ambassadorship for the Demons.

Ron Barassi Jnr Leadership Award - Brad Green
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy, Best First Year Player - Cale Morton
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy (best & fairest for VFL affiliate Sandringham) - Adem Yze

Source: Ryan Larkin, Club Media Release

GEELONG

Midfielder Joel Corey has won his second ‘Carji’ Greeves medal as Geelong’s best & fairest. Corey polled 591 votes, well ahead of 2007 winner Gary Ablett (538). Jimmy Bartel (522) finished third. Ablett has finished in the top three in the past four seasons while Bartel has three top three finishes. The medal is named for Edward "Carji" Greeves who plyayed for the Cats in the early 20th century. He was the inaugural winner of the 1924 Brownlow Medal.

Corey won the award in 2005 and is the only player to win twice in the past 12 seasons. Corey had an excellent season as he led the league in disposals (730), was third in handballs and fifth for tackles. He also led the club's possessions per game as well as contested possessions, center clearances (moving the ball from stoppages), handballs and tackles. He also had the second most kicks and free kicks at the club.He picked up votes in 22 out of 25 games.

The Top 10
Voting: Four members can each award a maximum of 10 votes each to a maximum of 10 players per game. A player can receive a maximum of 40 votes per game.

Joel Corey     591
Gary Ablett    528
Jimmy Bartel   522
Cameron Ling   443 (seventh consecutive season for a top four finish, won in 2004) 
Joel Selwood   439
Cameron Mooney 423
Corey Enright  417
Andrew Mackie  386
Steve Johnson  384 
Tom Harley     334

Other Awards:
Best first year player - Harry Taylor
Leading goal kicker - Steve Johnson
Best clubman - Tom Harley
Coach’s award - Cameron Ling
VFL best & fairest - Jason Davenport
Community champions - Tom Harley, David Wojcinski and James Kelly

Punter Ben Graham has been released by the New York Jets. Graham, who actually had been cut several weeks ago after a poor game, earned a reprieve when his replacement Reggie Hodges strained a thigh muscle. However, Hodges has since recovered and Graham is out again. Graham joined the Jets in 2005 and fell just a few yards short of setting a new punting record for the Jets in his first season. His career average is 43.7 yards per punt.

Source: sportsnetwork.com & Kevin Diggerson, Club Media Release

COLLINGWOOD

Midfielder Dane Swan has won his first Copeland Trophy as the club's 2008 best and fairest. Swan, 24, won the award with 53 votes, ahead of forward Paul Medhurst (47) and Scott Pendlebury (46). After the Round 22 count, Swan was only two votes ahead of Medhurst, but had an excellent finals series to pick up more votes.

The Top 10
Voting: Each player is allocated one vote per game, after which the match committee can award up to 20 votes for the best players. The maximum votes any player can receive per game is six.

Dane Swan        53 
Paul Medhurst    47 
Scott Pendlebury 46 
Leon Davis       44 
Harry O’Brien    43 
Travis Cloke     42
Alan Didak       38
Dale Thomas      38
Shane O’Bree     38
Tarkyn Lockyer   38

Other Awards:
Best Finals Player: Dane Swan
Leading Goalkicker: Paul Medhurst (50 goals)
Best Clubman: Shane O'Bree
Most Desire Indicators: Nick Maxwell
Best First Year Player: Nathan Brown
Club Services: Brad Dick
Best VFL Player: Justin Crow & Brent McCaffer

The club also honored retiring players Scott Burns, Shane Wakelin and Ryan Lonie

Source: Nick Hulett, Club Media Release

NORTH MELBOURNE

Brent Harvey has become only the fourth player in club history to win a fourth Syd Barker Medal as club best and fairest. Harvey won the award in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He joins club greats Noel Teasdale (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966), David Dench (1971, 1976, 1977, 1981) and Wayne Carey (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998) as a four-time winner.

Harvey played every game in 2008 and polled 759 votes to finish ahead of Drew Petrie (731) and Brady Rawlings (671). Rawlings was also awarded Life Membership for his 10 years at the club. Others to be awarded Life Membership were Tim Harrington (17 years as a player and administrator) and Max Stone (26 years as Recruiter and Room Steward). Retiring champions Shannon Grant, Jess Sinclair and Nathan Thompson were also honored.

The Top 10
Voting: The five members of the match committee can award up to 10 votes each for each player per match. The maximum number of votes a player can receive per game is 50.

Brent Harvey     759
Drew Petrie      731
Brady Rawlings   671
David Hale       670
Michael Firrito  647
Daniel Wells     641
Daniel Harris    621 
Adam Simpson     617
Leigh Harding    615
Daniel Pratt     607

Drew Petrie also won the award for best clubman while Gavin Urquhart was named rookie of the year. Retiring players Shannon Grant and Nathan Thompson were also honored.

Source: John Murphy, Club Media Release

SYDNEY

Midfielder Jarrad McVeigh won the club's Bob Skilton Medal as the 2008 best and fairest. McVeigh finished with 578 votes, just 10 ahead of Brett Kirk. Martin Mattner came in third (532 votes). McVeigh was behind Kirk after the vote tally for the Elimination Final but picked up 25 votes for his performance in the Semi-Final while Kirk polled just 11 votes in that game. It is an indication of McVeigh's massive improvement as he finished 18th last year and 11th in 2006. McVeigh, who picked up the maximum 50 votes in Round 18 against the Bulldogs, garnered votes in 20 out of 24 games played this year. McVeigh was drafted in 2002, debuted in 2004 and has played 105 games and kicked 74 goals. He missed out on selection for the 2005 Grand Final but has since become an important member of the team. Kirk has finished in the top two for six straight seasons. He won the award in 2005 and 2007

The Top 10
Voting: Each member of the match committee can award up to 10 votes per player per game.

Jarrad McVeigh  578
Brett Kirk      568 
Martin Mattner  532
Jude Bolton     514
Ryan O’Keefe    447
Paul Bevan      419 
Tadhg Kennelly  419
Darren Jolly    411
Craig Bolton    384
Jarred Moore    382

Other Awards:
Paul Kelly Players’ Player Award - Brett Kirk
Sydney Swans Rising Star Award - Kieren Jack & Craig Bird (tie)
Dennis Carroll Trophy for Most Improved - Jarred Moore
Barry Round Trophy for Best Clubman - Tadhg Kennelly
Paul Roos Award for Best player in the Finals - Barry Hall
Life Members - Tadhg Kennelly, Barry Hall, Ryan O’Keefe, Phil Mullen, Stephen Brassel

A few days after the awards presentation, Coach Paul Roos signed a new three year contract to remain at the helm through 2011.

Source: Tara White, Club Media Release

FREMANTLE

Club captain Matthew Pavlich has won his fifth Doig Medal as club best and fairest. The medal is named in honor of George Doig and his family, many of whom played for East Fremantle and South Fremantle in the WAFL. That connection dates back to the early 20th century. Pavlich won with 30 votes, three ahead of ruckman Aaron Sandilands with Luke McPharlin placing third on 26 votes. Pavlich, who was also named All-Australian for the sixth time, was in the club's top five for kicks, marks (ball catches), inside 50's (getting the ball into the forward line) and hard ball gets (beating an opponent). Not only did he play as a key forward but also played midfield roles when required.

Sandilands also had an outstanding season to earn his first All-Australian selection. He established himself as one of the most dominant ruckmen in the competition. He led the league in hitouts (taps of the ball from bounces) with 646, well ahead of Eagle Dean Cox. Extremely mobile for his size, Sandilands was almost like an extra midfielder at times and finished in the club's top five for handballs, hard ball gets and clearances. He was one of just three players to appear in all 22 matches for the Dockers.

McPharlin has proved himself capable as a forward and defender. He kicked 21 goals for the season, including five against the Eagles in Round 18. He placed in the club's top five for goalkicking and marks (ball catches). He was also named center half back in the West Australian State of Origin team, his fourth state selection.

Rising Star winner Rhys Palmer had a standout debut season to finish fourth. Palmer, 19, played 20 games and finished first at the club for (ball) possessions with 452, averaging 23 possessions per game. He played more like a seasoned veteran with his ability, hard running, work ethic, and superb reading of the play.

The Top 10
Voting: After each game, the match committee awards votes to the best players on a 4-3-2-1 basis with 4 votes for outstanding, 3 votes for excellent, 2 votes for very good and 1 vote for good. Pavlich received ‘excellent’ ratings in four games, two of which came against the Eagles. Sandilands received four votes in Round Six against Geelong when he had 24 possessions, six marks, one goal and 42 hitouts. McPharlin received four votes on three occasions: against Collingwood in Round One, against Hawthorn in Round Two and against Brisbane in Round 11.

Matthew Pavlich  30 
Aaron Sandilands 27
Luke McPharlin   26
Rhys Palmer      23
Michael Johnson  21
Ryan Crowley     21
David Mundy      16
Byron Schammer   14
Roger Hayden     12
Garrick Ibbotson 11

Other Awards:
Beacon Award for Best First Year Player - Rhys Palmer
Best Clubman Award - Luke Webster*
Harbor Masters Award (most popular player) - Luke McPharlin**
Past Players and Officials Award - Andrew Browne***
WAFL Recognition Award - Brock O'Brien****
Leading Goal Kicker Award - Matthew Pavlich

*Webster, restricted to just four games due to a knee injury, remained active with the club assisting with off-field projects.

**This was the first year for support group Harbor Masters.

***This award recognizes a player's contribution to the club off the field as well as his efforts to prepare for life after football.

****Awarded to the player who best represents the club at both AFL and WAFL levels and has the best professional attitude.
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Source: Andrew Bousfield, Club Media Release

ST KILDA

Defender Sam Fisher is the 2008 winner of the Trevor Barker Award as the club's best and fairest. It is the first time he has won the award after finishing third in 2006 and second last year. Fisher finished third on the AFL list for rebound 50's (getting the ball out of the Saints' defensive zone to set up attacks). He also finished third in the AFL for marks (ball catches) with 192. Fisher claimed the award with 680 votes.Nick Riewoldt was second with 643 votes while Lenny Hayes came in third (627).

Fisher has played 96 games for the Saints, including all 25 this year. He kicked five goals when not running out of defense and was a member of the Saints' preseason premiership team. He recently signed a new two year contract.

The Top 10
Voting: The five members of the match committee can award up to 10 votes per player per game.

Sam Fisher      680 
Nick Riewoldt   643  
Lenny Hayes     627 
Max Hudghton    507 
Robert Harvey   492
Leigh Montagna  473 
Brendan Goddard 469 
Jason Gram      467 
Luke Ball       418 
Jason Blake     402

Raphael Clarke was named Most Promising Player and Robert Harvey was honored with an inaugural award named for him, he Robert Harvey Best Clubman Award. The award will be presented by the coaching and conditioning staff to the player who best demonstrates his commitment and attitude toward training, health and nutrition, injuries and treatment, community work and work around the club. This year's winner was Lenny Hayes. Both Harvey and Fraser Gehrig were also honored for their services to the club.

The club also honored long-time coterie member Lyn Gandolfo with the Loyalty Award. Lyn, a member of the Halo Coterie and their president for three years, has been with the group since 1997. She helps organize club events and match day functions.

Source: Matt Schmidt, Club Media Release

BRISBANE

For the second year running, forward Jonathan Brown has won the Merrett-Murray Medal as the club best and fairest. He won with 53.5 votes, just ahead of Simon Black (51) and Luke Power (46.5). Brown played 21 out of 22 games this year, kicked 70 goals and led the club in marks (167). Brown also won the AFLPA's Most Courageous Player Award and was named to the AFL's celebratory Tribute Match Team. Power has finished in the top five for six consecutive years.

The Top Five
Voting: Each member of the match committee can award each player 0-5 votes per game. The medal is named in honor of Kevin Murray, who played for the Fitzroy Lions and Roger Merrett, who played for the Brisbane Bears before they merged with Fitzroy to become the Brisbane Lions.

Jonathan Brown   53.5
Simon Black      51
Luke Power       46.5
Daniel Bradshaw  43.5 (career-best finish)
Jared Brennan    42

Other Awards:
Best Forward - Jonathan Brown
Best Midfielder - Simon Black
Best Defender - Joel Patfull
Most Improved Player - Joel Patfull
Most Effective Tackler - Michael Rischitelli
Most Professional Player - Daniel Bradshaw
Most Courageous Player - Michael Rischitelli
Rookie of the Year - Bradd Dalziell
The Courier Mail Player of the Year - Simon Black
Members' Player of the Year - Luke Power

Rookie Scott Clouston, who played two senior games in 2008, has been elevated to the senior list for 2009.

Source: Sam Lord, Club Media Release

RICHMOND

Brett Deledio has won this year's club best and fairest. He won with 250 votes. Shane Tuck finished second with 223 votes and Matthew Richardson was third (203. Each player can receive up to five votes from each member of the match committee.

Source: Melbourne Age

WEST COAST

Dean Cox is the 2008 club best and fairest. He won with 450 votes. Forward Quinten Lynch was second (360) and Adam Selwood was third (315). Each member of the match committee can award up to five votes per player per game.

Source: Melbourne Age

Awards

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:17:01 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Rhys Palmer

Fremantle's Rhys Palmer is the 2008 Rising Star. The presentation of the Ron Evans Medal was made this week at a function which also included the naming of the 2008 All-Australian team. Palmer, 19, won with 44 votes. Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli polled 37 votes and Richmond's Trent Cotchin polled 21 votes. The next three were Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer (11 votes), Fremantle's Garrick Ibbotson (seven) and West Coast's Ben McKinley (six). Collingwood's Nathan Brown (three), Melbourne's Cale Morton (three), Port Adelaide's Alipate Carlile (two) and Demon Austin Wonaeamirri (one picked up the remaining votes.

In accepting the award, Palmer acknowledged the talents of his fellow contenders and said retiring Saint Robert Harvey was his idol and that playing against him was a "...dream come true...".Palmer, who is the second Docker after Paul Hasleby in 2000 to take out the award, played 20 games this year and was a standout in the 2007 Under-18 tournament after battling osteitis pubis in 2006. In those 20 games, Palmer averaged 23 possessions per game and displayed a fearless attack on the ball as well as great endurance to run out games. A native West Australian, Palmer earned his nomination in just his second game, played against the Eagles in Round Three. Despite a head gash which required stitches, Palmer picked up 24 possessions and laid four tackles in that match. At the time it was reported he needed 22 stitches. He joked that he only needed 10, but that 22 sounded better.

Source: afl.com.au

Kane Cornes

For the second year running, Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes has been awarded the John Cahill Medal as the club's best and fairest. The ceremony was held on the first weekend of the finals. Cornes is the second player, after Warren Tredrea, to win the award twice. Cornes, who failed to poll votes in just two games, finished ahead of fellow midfielder Dom Cassisi and forward Daniel Motlop.

The John Cahill Medal is voted on by the Port Adelaide coaching panel, consisting of Mark Williams, Matthew Primus, Jason Cripps and Adam Kingsley. Each panel member can award 0-4 votes for as many players as they chose after each game.

2008 John Cahill Medal Final Standings

Kane Cornes 135
Dominic Cassisi 115
Daniel Motlop 99
Shaun Burgoyne 88
Alipate Carlisle 77
Dean Brogan 76
Steven Salopek 76
Tom Logan 73
David Rodan 73
Travis Boak 67

Other Awards:
Alipate Carlile - Gavin Wanganeen Medal as best under-21 player
Travis Boak - Most Improved Player
Dominic Cassisi - Best Team Man and the Fos Williams Medal for his leadership, selflessness, courage, professionalism, loyalty and sense of humor
Paul Stewart - Best First Year Player

Source: portadelaidefc.com.au

AFLPA Award

Geelong's Gary Ablett has become the fourth player to win a second AFLPA MVP award, following Greg Williams (SYD/CARL 1985, 1994), Wayne Carey (NM 1995, 1998) and Michael Voss (BRIS 2002-03). His father Gary Ablett, Sr. won the award in 1993. That year, Gary Snr. kicked 124 goals in just 17 games. The current Gary's achievement is no less amazing as he missed four games this year. In 18 games he played this year, he tallied 503 disposals, 84 marks and an average of just under five tackles a game with a total of 86 tackles.

The award, which is voted upon by the players, recognizes versatility, skill, leadership, the ability to play under pressure and respect for teammates and the opposition. The voting process is:

MVP: CLUB NOMINATIONS: Every player is asked to vote 3-2-1 for their teammates in each of the categories: Most Valuable Player, Most Courageous, Best First Year Player

The votes are tallied resulting in the final nominations:
Three players from each club nominated as Most Valuable Player
One player from each club nominated as Best First Year Player
One player from each club nominated as Most Courageous Player
Best Captain award, including all captains from the 16 AFL clubs

The nominations are then presented by the AFLPA to the Clubs. Each player votes for one player in each category, except for the MVP, where players select three players on a 3–2–1 basis. Players cannot vote for their teammates.

The final votes are tallied under the supervision of AFLPA. The winners of each award are then officially announced at the Most Valuable Player Award ceremony.

In accepting the Leigh Matthews Trophy, Ablett said it was a great honor to be recognized by his peers and that he was humbled in winning the award. He also paid tribute to his teammates and coaches, saying he wouldn't achieve what he had done without them.

The voting:
Gary Ablett, Geelong, 1088
Lance Franklin, Hawthorn, 718
Brent Harvey, North Melbourne, 440
Matthew Richardson, Richmond, 148
Chris Judd, Carlton, 140
Joel Selwood, Geelong, 109

Previous MVP winners:
1982 - Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn)
1983 - Terry Daniher (Essendon)
1984 - Russell Greene (Hawthorn)
1985 - Greg Williams (Geelong)
1986 - Paul Roos (Fitzroy)
1987 - Tony Lockett (St Kilda)
1988 - Gerard Healy (Sydney)
1989 - Tim Watson (Essendon)
1990 - Darren Millane (Collingwood)
1991 - Jim Stynes (Melbourne)
1992 - Jason Dunstall (Hawthorn)
1993 - Gary Ablett Snr (Geelong)
1994 - Greg Williams (Carlton)
1995 - Wayne Carey (North Melbourne)
1996 - Corey McKernan (North Melbourne)
1997 - Robert Harvey (St Kilda)
1998 - Wayne Carey (North Melbourne)
1999 - Shane Crawford (Hawthorn)
2000 - Anthony Koutoufides (Carlton)
2001 - Andrew McLeod (Adelaide)
2002 - Luke Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
2002 - Michael Voss (Brisbane)
2003 - Michael Voss (Brisbane)
2004 - Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
2005 - Ben Cousins (West Coast)
2006 - Chris Judd (West Coast)
2007 - Gary Ablett Jnr (Geelong)

Other Awards:
Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player
Jonathan Brown, Brisbane, 137
Brett Kirk, Sydney, 127
Joel Selwood, Geelong, 87
Luke Hodge, Hawthorn, 56
Matthew Richardson, Richmond, 50

Best First Year Player
Rhys Palmer, Fremantle, 252
Cyril Rioli, Hawthorn, 167
Trent Cotchin, Richmond, 80
Austin Wonaeamirri, Melbourne, 30
Harry Taylor, Geelong, 21

Best Captain
Tom Harley, Geelong, 141
Chris Judd, Carlton, 103
Brett Kirk, Sydney, 80
Jonathan Brown, Brisbane, 57
Adam Simpson, North Melbourne, 40

St. Kilda' Jason Blake was awarded the Education and Training Excellence Award for his efforts to combine education with his football career. He is currently working toward degrees in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) and a Business Finance. He also works part time for a construction management and consulting firm.

Source: theaustralian.com.au and Rebecca O'Riley, AFLPA Media Release

Paul Roos

Australia celebrates Father's Day on the first Sunday in September. In conjunction with the day, there is an award for Father of the Year. This year, Coach Paul Roos was named Father of the Year by the Australian Father's Day Council. The Council honored Roos for his commitment as a parent and his work in the development of young sportspersons. The 45 year old Roos has two children, Dylan, 14 and Tyler, 12. In accepting the award, Roos was quoted, "I want to see my children grow up to enjoy some fundamental privileges: to communicate, to be understood, and to be able to make friends easily."

Source: news.com.au

Chris Judd

Carlton's Chris Judd has won the 2008 John Nicholls Medal as the club's best and fairest. The awards ceremony was held shortly before the AFL's Semi-Finals matches with over 1100 guests in attendance. Judd won with 472 votes, with Marc Murphy coming in second on 417 votes and Brendan Fevola third with 373 votes.

Judd, who joined the club at the end of 2007 and was appointed captain, played 21 games and had over 500 ball disposals. He also led the league in contested possessions (231), led Carlton's tackle count with 82, won the most ball clearances (103) and kicked 15 goals. Judd also won two best and fairest awards with the West Coast Eagles in 2004 and 2006. Other awards include the 2005 Norm Smith Medalist as best on ground in the Eagles' Grand Final loss to Sydney, the 2004 Brownlow Medal and the AFLPA MVP in 2006. Judd is also a two-time All-Australian. Five time club champion John Nicholls was on hand to present the medal, named in his honor several years ago, to Judd.

In accepting the award, Judd said that while he was honored with individual awards, he craved team success and said just to be able to play AFL football was a huge achievement. He also said he believed Carlton will be a better side, but needed to improve 20-25%. He added that he believed the players and coaching staff were "...on the same page and...making sure we're working as hard as we possibly can to get that...improvement."

Runner up Marc Murphy played all 22 games in 2008 and led the club in possessions with 542. Murphy has been with the club for three years and clearly relished the midfield support provided by Judd and Nich Stevens, who missed a large part of 2007 due to a neck injury. Forward Brendan Fevola played all 22 games for the season and kicked 99 goals, a career best tally. That goal tally is the second best by a Carlton player in the club's history.

The Top 10:
Voting: Five members of the match committee can vote for a maximum of eight players after each game with a maximum of 10 votes per player per game. The most votes a player can receive from any given match is 50.

Chris Judd 472
Marc Murphy 417
Brendan Fevola 373
Andrew Carrazzo 316 (2007 winner under different voting system)
Bryce Gibbs 288
Nick Stevens 287
Jarrad Waite 267
Kade Simpson 202
Heath Scotland 201
Bret Thornton 197

Other Awards:

Best First Year Player: Matthew Kreuzer
Best Clubman: Andrew Carrazzo (voted on by teammates)
Past Players Encouragement Award – Shaun Grigg
Women of Carlton Player Ambassador of the Year Award: Michael Jamison (first awarded in 2004 and recognizes onfield achievements as well as community work and the manner in which a player represents himself on and off the field)

At the ceremony, the club also announced that Jarrad Waite had signed a new three year contract and Jordan Russell and Jon Anderson had both signed two year deals. The club also announced a new six year sponsorship deal with Nike.

Source: Stephen Wilson, Club Media Release and Melbourne Age

Tiger Wins AFL Army Award

Brett Deledio is the 2008 Army Award Winner. Along with the Medal, presented by an officer from the Australian Army, Deledio also received a $10,000 travel voucher. The AFL Army Award was introduced in 2007 and recognizes match day courage, initiative and teamwork especially for the "one-percenter" extra efforts which help the team. Such actions include smothers of the ball, tackles, and shepherds (blocking opponents to help teammates advance the ball). At the end of each round, three players are nominated and fans can then vote at afl.com.au for a weekly winner. The winner is also endorsed by the All-Australian panel of Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Kevin Bartlett, Mark Bickley, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich and Robert Walls.

Deledio, 21, was nominated from the Round Seven match against St. Kilda. During that game, he courageously ran back with the flight of the ball in an attempt to mark (catch the ball). He received 27% of the fan votes to finish ahead of Geelong’s Ryan Gamble (23%) and North Melbourne’s Gavin Urquhart (20%).

Deledio was the 2004 number one draft selection and debuted in 2005. He won the Rising the Rising Star Award that year and has played 84 games for the Tigers. He played all 22 games in 2008 and averaged 11.6 kicks, 7 marks, and 12.9 handballs per game.

Deledio expressed his pride at winning the award, saying it was great to see an award which acknowledges onfield actions which otherwise might go unnoticed. Deledio also acknowledged the support he has received from Richmond and said he hoped to be a part of the team for a long time. Richmond Coach Terry Wallace praised Deledio on his performance in 2008 and congratulated him for an excellent year. He also said Deledio for his growth as a footballer and his winning of the award. Wallace said he remembers the piece of play which earned Deledio the nomination, describing it as one of the most courageous acts he had seen and hoped there would be more from his young star.

Presenter Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie of the Australian Army, said Deledio's onfield actions demonstrated the "...Army's core values of courage, initiative and teamwork..." and said Deledio was "...an inspirational player, who pushes himself to be his best..."

Source: Asha Burns, AFL Media Release

All-Australian Team

Once again, Geelong has dominated the All-Australian selections with seven Cats named to the team. The process, introduced in 2007, requires the selectors to nominate the leading players for each area of the ground: forwards, defenders, midfielders, ruckmen/rovers. From those 40 nominations, the final 22-player team is determined. Geelong had 10 players nominated: defenders Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright and Tom Harley, midfielders Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey and Gary Ablett and forward Steve Johnson. Eleven clubs have players named in the team. Carlton, Fremantle, Hawthorn, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs each had two players named to the team.

Nine players - Nathan Bock, Adam Cooney, Enright, Sam Fisher, Lance Franklin, Harley, Paul Medhurst, Dale Morris and Aaron Sandilands are first time All-Australians while Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Dean Cox, Brent Harvey, Johnson, Matthew Pavlich and Scarlett retained their places from the 2007 team. Pavlich's selection on the interchange bench was his sixth selection in the last seven seasons, the most by any played named this year. Carlton captain Chris Judd was named as All Australian captain for the first time, with Harley confirmed as his vice-captain.

THE ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM
BACKS: Dale Morris (WB) Matthew Scarlett (GEEL) Tom Harley (GEEL, vc)
HALF BACKS: Luke Hodge (HAW) Nathan Bock (ADE) Sam Fisher (STK)
CEN: Jimmy Bartel (GEEL) Joel Corey (GEEL) Adam Cooney (WB)
HALF FORWARD: Steve Johnson (GEEL) Nick Riewoldt (STK) Brent Harvey (NM)
FORWARD: Brendan Fevola (CARL) Lance Franklin (HAW) Paul Medhurst (COL)
RUCK: Dean Cox (WCE)
ROVERS: Chris Judd (CARL, c) Gary Ablett (GEEL)
I/C: Corey Enright (GEEL), Matthew Pavlich (FRE), Matthew Richardson (RICH), Aaron Sandilands (FRE)

The All Australian selection panel is: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Kevin Bartlett, Mark Bickley, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich, Robert Walls.

PLAYER DETAILS:

Terms: Clearance refers to a player winning the ball to his team's advantage from defense, ball-ups, and boundary throw-ins. Inside 50 (meters or 55 yards) refers to a player sending the ball into his team's attacking zone. Rebound 50 refers to a player winning the ball in defense and "rebounding" it away from the opposition's forwards and advancing it up the ground for teammates.

Dale Morris: first time selected, 22 games in 2008. 137 kicks, 102 marks, 143 handballs, averaging 6.2 kicks, 4.6 marks, 6.5 handballs. No Goals or behinds, 11 Clearances, 11 Inside 50m, 36 Rebound 50m.

Matthew Scarlett: All Australian 2003, 2004, 2007; 19 games in 2008. 178 kicks, 63 marks, 145 handballs, averaging 9.4 kicks, 3.3 marks, 7.6 handballs. No Goals One Behind. Four Clearances, 22 Inside 50m, 57 Rebound 50m.

Tom Harley: first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 150 kicks, 117 marks, 184 handballs, averaging 6.8 kicks, 5.3 marks, 8.4 handballs. No Goals No Behinds. Four Clearances, 11 Inside 50m, 45 Rebound 50m.

Luke Hodge:All Australian 2005. 17 games in 2008. 241 kicks, 90 marks, 155 handballs, averaging 14.2 kicks, 5.3 marks, 9.1 handballs. 19 Goals Eight Behinds. 58 Clearances, 73 Inside 50m, 38 Rebound 50m.

Nathan Bock: first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 324 kicks, 159 marks, 158 handballs, averaging 14.7 kicks, 7.2 marks, 7.2 handballs. Two Goals Five Behinds. 11 Clearances, 42 Inside 50m, 79 Rebound 50m.
Sam Fisher: first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 303 kicks, 192 marks, 193 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 8.7 marks, 8.8 handballs. Three Goals Two Behinds. 18 Clearances, 43 Inside 50m, 73 Rebound 50m.

Jimmy Bartel: All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008. 339 kicks, 127 marks, 278 handballs, averaging 15.4 kicks, 5.8 marks, 12.6 handballs. 19 Goals 15 Behinds. 78 Clearances, 89 Inside 50m, 44 Rebound 50m.

Joel Corey: All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008. 304 kicks, 104 marks, 336 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 4.7 marks, 15.3 handballs. Six Goals Five Behinds. 100 Clearances, 104 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m.

Adam Cooney:first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 283 kicks, 84 marks, 297 handballs, averaging 12.9 kicks, 3.8 marks, 13.5 handballs. 21 Goals Six Behinds. 99 Clearances, 68 Inside 50m, 53 Rebound 50m.

Steve Johnson:All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008. 285 kicks, 128 marks, 150 handballs, averaging 13.0 kicks, 5.8 marks, 6.8 handballs. 49 Goals 28 Behinds. 34 Clearances, 93 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m.

Nick Riewoldt:All Australian 2004, 2006. 21 games in 2008. 256 kicks, 211 marks, 113 handballs, averaging 12.2 kicks, 10.0 marks, 5.4 handballs. 56 Goals 39 Behinds. Six Clearances, 52 Inside 50m, Seven Rebound 50m.

Brent Harvey:All Australian 2000, 2005, 2007. 22 games in 2008. 322 kicks, 107 marks, 227 handballs, averaging 14.6 kicks, 4.9 marks, 10.3 handballs. 23 Goals 19 Behinds. 46 Clearances, 102 Inside 50m, 30 Rebound 50m.

Brendan Fevola: All Australian 2006. 22 games in 2008. 214 kicks, 128 marks, 44 handballs, averaging 9.7 kicks, 5.8 marks, 2.0 handballs. 99 Goals 51 Behinds. Three Clearances, 30 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m.

Lance Franklin:first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 281 kicks, 145 marks, 67 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 6.6 marks, 3.0 handballs. 102 Goals 84 Behinds. 13 Clearances, 48 Inside 50m, Seven Rebound 50m.

Paul Medhurst: first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 284 kicks, 165 marks, 62 handballs, averaging 12.9 kicks, 7.5 marks, 2.8 handballs. 48 Goals 22 Behinds. 12 Clearances, 90 Inside 50m, 17 Rebound 50m.

Dean Cox: All Australian 2005, 2006, 2007. 22 games in 2008. 233 kicks, 125 marks, 253 handballs, averaging 10.6 kicks, 5.7 marks, 11.5 handballs. 571 hit outs averaging 26.0 hit outs. Nine Goals 10 Behinds. 86 Clearances, 61 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m.

Chris Judd: All Australian 2004, 2006. 21 games in 2008. 250 kicks, 41 marks, 258 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 2.0 marks, 12.3 handballs. 15 Goals Nine Behinds. 103 Clearances, 83 Inside 50m, 29 Rebound 50m.

Gary Ablett: All Australian 2007. 18 games in 2008. 246 kicks, 84 marks, 262 handballs, averaging 13.7 kicks, 4.7 marks, 14.6 handballs. 23 Goals 22 Behinds. 87 Clearances, 101 Inside 50m, 22 Rebound 50m.

Corey Enright: first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 267 kicks, 118 marks, 250 handballs, averaging 12.1 kicks, 5.4 marks, 11.4 handballs. Six Goals Two Behinds. 39 Clearances, 41 Inside 50m, 64 Rebound 50m.

Matthew Pavlich: All Australian 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007. 19 games in 2008. 263 kicks, 138 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 7.3 marks, 4.4 handballs. 67 Goals 35 Behinds. 38 Clearances, 101 Inside 50m, Five Rebound 50m.

Matthew Richardson: All Australian 1996, 1999. 20 games in 2008. 263 kicks, 222 marks, 102 handballs, averaging 13.2 kicks, 11.1 marks, 5.1 handballs. 48 Goals 30 Behinds. Five Clearances, 46 Inside 50m, 19 Rebound 50m.

Aaron Sandilands: first time selected. 22 games in 2008. 122 kicks, 77 marks, 208 handballs, averaging 5.5 kicks, 3.5 marks, 9.5 handballs. 646 hit outs averaging 29.4 hit outs. Eight Goals 11 Behinds. 88 Clearances, 45 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

AFL Honors Sheahan

Mike Sheahan has been an icon of footy media for years and the AFL, in conjunction with the Australian Football Media Association, to name the new AFL Media Center in Sheahan's honor. The AFL consulted the AFMA to ask for whom the center should be named and the decision was almost unanimous in favor of Sheahan, who writes for for the Melbourne Herald Sun and also is a co-host of the weekly chat show On The Couch, for which he won an award at this year's ceremonies.

Sheahan, who was described by Andrew Demetriou as one who had been wth the game for decades, started his career in 1969 and has been the chief football writer for the past 13 years. He also worked at the AFL and the Melbourne Age as a media director.

Over the years, Sheahan has won 16 awards for his reporting. He has won in a variety of catagories - newsbreaking, features and columns. He also won the prestigious Alf Brown Award foir his reporting as well as the 2008 AFLPA's Grant Hattam award for his story on Simon Goodwin's battle with gambling addiction.

In acknowledging Sheanan's contributions, Andrew Demetriow said Sheahan had a "... curiosity and committment to the game...and never indulged in cynicism.."or attemped to..."put himself above the game, its players, and..its supporters..." and still had a "boyish love of the game and the champions..."

Other award winners were Caroline Wilson, who won the Alf Brown Trophy as well as the award for most outstanding news reporter and outstanding columnist. Wilson is the chief football writer for the Melbourne Age.

On The Couch won for Most Outstanding TV Program, former Collingwood player Nathan Buckley won as Most Outstanding Special Comments Person on TV (Melbourne's Channel Seven) while Network Ten's Robert Walls received a commendation. Walls did win as the most outstanding special commentator on radio (3AW).

Channel Seven's Dennis Cometti was named the most outstanding televsion caller, but lost out to Brian Taylor as best radio caller. He did receive a commendation for his radio work on 3AW while Channel Ten's Stephen Quartermain received a commendation for his television calling on Network Ten

Source: Herald Sun