Article by Wade Gleeson
SENIORS on baller Jamie Sokolski took out his maiden Les Hepper Medal at the New Norfolk District Football Club Best and Fairest Count last Saturday night at the Valley Sports Bar.
Finishing third in last year’s count, Sokolski polled 103 votes this time round beating last year’s winner Jye Bearman by 11 votes on 92.
After another great season, Bearman finished third in the SFL B&F for the William Leitch medal.
In the women’s best and fairest for the new Pixie Turner Medal, young Sophie Farrow blitzed her team mates taking out the award by the very big margin of 80 votes.
The on baller had a stellar season polling 146 votes and received 20 best player five votes.
Farrow’s season exemplified by being runner up in the association best and fairest. Runner up on 66 votes was Dannielle Clifford who had a great season down back guiding the traffic and has been a real leader both on and off the field.
In the Reserves count, Torne Tangata took out the Roydon Howard Medal by 34 votes.
The on baller polled 123 votes to runner up in Jordan Eiszele on 89 who ironically nudged his brother Tyson Eiszele out on 71.
Tangata showed very consistent form throughout the season and this was also shown in the SFL reserves B&F where he was runner up by one vote.
In the count for the Colts best and fairest for the J. H Dixon Medal, Bailey Wheeler took out the award by 21 votes.
Wheeler who had an excellent season polled in 10 of the 15 rounds finishing with 112 votes.
Runner-up Thomas Lovell made a vast improvement on last season with six votes to finish on 91, 15 clear of Brodie Scanlon on 76.
It’s been a big year for the NNDFC with all four teams making the finals, a great achievement in its self.
And although they didn’t take out the premiership, the reserves team under coaches Bryan and Bradley Chaplin, can hold their heads high for their efforts in making yet another grand final.
A big well done to the women’s team which basically created history every week by winning their first game, kicking their biggest score and then onto making finals.
Well done to coach Ben Shaw and the team, you all have certainly ticked off many boxes this season. Women’s footy is good for footy.
To Paul Clark and his U/19 team, a great effort yet again, to make finals with often limited numbers it’s been a big effort.
A special mention to Josh Clifford who after three seasons has stepped down as the seniors coach.
Cliffy is certainly well respected by all and his contribution has been second to none, his love for the club a real stand out.
A big warm welcome to incoming senior coach Tim Butterworth and his family.
Tim brings much experience having previously played over 100 TSL games, played in Glenorchy’s 2016 premiership and also in the 2014 State Representative side vs Victoria.
He also played with Aspley in the NEAFL. Exciting times ahead for the Eagles indeed.
Well done also to all assistant coaches and trainers.
A big shout out to club president Sally Coleman and the committee members for yet again putting in a massive effort to see that the club continues to run smoothly.
Finally well done to Dannielle Clifford for not only her work with the Best and Fairest presentations, but also with the women’s side as well.
Dannielle is a great example of what passion can do to help a footy club, excellent work.
Lastly, five votes each to father and daughter duo in Laura Chaplin who I’m told did a fantastic job calling the votes in my absence and MC Craig Stevenson for his work on the night.
Next week: All the votes