Wade Gleeson
THE New Norfolk Junior Football Club Annual Ball and Best and Fairest Presentations was again a huge success.
About 250 members and guests witnessed some very close counts at LuxBet Park, Elwick Race Course last Saturday night.
The Under 16.5 Claremont Eagles Boys count, it was a reversal from last season with Brodie Scanlon taking home the Geoff and Carol Horne Medal with 67 votes, 12 clear of last year’s winner Bailey Chaplin.
Scanlon, who played as a midfielder and also down forward, had four best-on-ground performances in what was an excellent season.
Chaplin, who played down back and in the midfield, continues to impress.
Both players have been very consistent footballers throughout their time with the NNJFC and will definitely become the new talent in the senior ranks.
It was an extremely close count for the Under 15 Girls Best and Fairest for the Cathy Adam’s Medal with just four votes separating the top four.
After the final round, there were dual winners with Ellie Henricks and Lily Bain both on 25 votes, just one vote clear of runner up, Kyah Able.
Henricks, who won the U/13 girls B&F with Able last season, polled votes in seven of the 12 rounds in what was a terrific year. Bain, who was a tower of strength down back the entire season, picked up votes on eight separate occasions which just showed the consistency of her work rate.
Team captain Able polled 24 votes and again showed her ability to win the hard ball every week in yet another consistent season.
In the count for the New Norfolk Eagles Boys it was back to back Peter Birchall medals for Tyler Benson and his third B&F overall.
Benson polled 37 votes to win by just five from runner up Harry Morgan who doubled his tally from last season on 32.
Benson and Morgan have showed much promise with their football so far and their achievements are a fitting reward.
In the Under 14s count for the David Banks Medal, Isaac Coppleman and Nicholas Ransley couldn’t be separated, finishing on 43 votes apiece.
With just one round to be called, Ransley trailed Coppleman by the barest of margins of one vote.
Ransley then collected four votes and his team three to make dual winners.
This is Ransley’s second best and fairest in as many years while Coppleman has also been among the awards being runner up to his teammate last season.
The first count of the night was the Under 13 Boys for the Stephen and Tina Rhodes Medal which saw the closest of all results of a three way tie.
Trio Billy Tomlin, Seb Farrow and Ewan Dillon all finishing on 30 votes each while on 29 Harvey Woodcock finished runner up.
With just one round to go, Billy Tomlin on 28 votes lead by just two from Harvey Woodcock and Sebastian Farrow on 26 and Ewan Dillon on 25.
All players then polled votes which squared it up in what was a very exciting count.
The club’s most coveted trophy, the Rising Star Award went to Under 16.5 Claremont Eagles player Bailey Chaplin.
Bailey is a well-respected player in his team who has consistently played a year above his age correct group.
His training and work ethic has been second to none and has regularly been in the best players resulting in him taking out this year’s best and fairest award for his team.
Outside of his own team, the skilful footballer has been selected in the talent squad development program every year since under 12s and has proven his ability in playing games with the New Norfolk seniors, reserves and colts.
The rising star nominees were – U/16.5 Boys, Bailey Chaplin. U/15 Girls, Ellie Henricks. New Norfolk Eagles Boys, Harry Morgan. U/14 Boys, Nicholas Ransley and U/13 Boys, Billy Tomlin.
Players who reached Milestone Games during the season were:.
50 GAMES: Brady Brodribb, Wyatt Lovell, Ashley Harwood, Toby Marriott.
75 GAMES: Ailie Morgan, Billy Tomlin, Tylah Morgan, Harvey Woodock, Ronan Hunt, Bailey Crosswell, Lucas Pursell, Nicholas Ransley, Liam Lowe, Isaac Coppleman, Connor Kelly-Lennox.
100 GAMES: Koda George, Riley Triffett, Mitchell Hay, Ryan Coppleman, Logan Robertson.
125 GAMES: Brodie Scanlon, Kady Morgan and Bailey Chaplin.
Claremont Junior Football Club Milestone Games:
50 GAMES: Seton Hine, Jude Holbrook.
100 GAMES: Lachlan Blackwell, Matthew Laugher, Dylan Thompson, Michael Visser.
125 GAMES: Jye Graham.
Belle and Beau of the ball went to Lucy Gleeson and Jet Benson.
Congratulationsto you both.
It was lovely to have along our major sponsor in Robbie Iles from Banjo’s New Norfolk.
Banjos has been a great supporter of the NNJFC for a while now and it’s very much appreciated.
Other generous supporters are sponsors Pauly’s Pizza, RE Clark and Son Butchers and Kings Rock Cherries.
A very big thank you and appreciation to all our much valued coaches, team managers and officials, excellent work yet again.
Thanks also to the committee, president Ann Burns, vice president Brendan Barry, secretary Allison Morgan , treasurer Mathew Burns, registrar Justin Benson and merchandise officer Sarah Saunders.
Special thanks to canteen coordinator Kirsty Smith for her efforts which really did take the pressure off the committee.
Also a big thank you to Narelle Lowe for her efforts in organising the canteen roster every week and to Auskick co-ordinator Jodie Kenzig for a top job with our up and coming stars of the future.