The 2014 Goannas Presentation Night was held in the Swan Room at the Club's Major Sponsor, the Merrylands RSL Club. With the introduction of the GRAY MEDAL in 2013, the Club invited all 26 previous winners of the Seniors Best & Fairest award (1979 - 2013) and their partners to a special evening and to present them with Gray Medals.
The Gray Medal is awarded annually (now) to the First Grade Best & Fairest Player of the Parramatta Goannas Football Club. It is named in recognition of the outstanding and sustained contribution of the Gray family to the Club since its foundation in 1979. Three generations of the Gray family were on hand to present the Medals, including to the 2014 winner, Ben Rogers. With players from 4 decades attending, the evening turned into a reunion of sorts with several players from the 1990 (Premier League) and 2001 (SFA) Premierships in attendance, and 215 people fitted snuggly into the auditorium at the Merrylands RSL Club.
The evening was hosted by Russell Barwick from ABC Sport, a former player of the Goannas and winner of the Under 19 Best & Fairest award in 1983. The evening started with team awards for the Under 19's, Thirds (Division 5), Reserves (Division 4) and Seniors (Division 1) before a professionally presented vote count on the big screen took place. Harrison Spiteri (22 votes) won the Under 19 Best & Fairest with Stephen Smith (21 votes) claiming the Runner Up award. Luke Pierce (25 votes) won the Thirds Best & Fairest from Mathew Smith (22 votes). Peter Zuvela (29 votes) won the Reserves Best & Fairest from Grant Webb (24 votes), and these two players finished equal 4th in the League (Armstrong Medal) as well. Arin Rickett (son of Club legend Peter Rickett) won the John Perry Rising Star award. The Senior voting was a tight affair all night, but it was Ben Rogers, the Club & League Leading Goal Kicker with 23 votes who won the 2014 Gray Medal from Brody Crane (20 votes) and Jordan Pidgeon, the 2013 Gray Medal winner on 19 votes. Jordan also di well in the Snow Medal where he came Runner Up.
Before Ben Rogers was presented with his Gray Medal, the Gray family presented Medals to all present previous winners, the most notable being former Test Cricket Captain Mark Taylor (1982), former Sydney Swans player Neil Brunton (1990) and Patrick Gallagher, winner of the Best & Fairest 5 times (1995,2001,2002,2003 & 2004). Ben Rogers came to the Goannas in 2013 after a successful career at the East Coast Eagles and has won the League & Club Goal Kicking awards in both his years at the Club. After kicking a goal in all 18 matches this Season, he was injured his hand in the first 10 minutes of the Elimination Final v Pennant Hills and went to hospital to have surgery.
When all the Gray Medalists were assembled on stage, Mark Taylor responded on their behalf to the crowd, as he has been involved with the Goannas for many years as a player and more recently as the Club's Patron. Club Legend Tony Cocks assisted with an auction towards the end of the night that raised over $12,000, and a live 2 piece bank played during the intervals. Jack Schwarze was announced (to a noisy approval) as Head Coach for the Club in 2015, and he spoke about his plans and ambitions for the Goannas. The 1990 Perpetual Premiership Cup (the Bill Hart Cup on loan from the League) was on show, along with a 1990 Premiership jumper. It took over an hour to clear the room when the night finished, and players, partners & friends all moved downstairs at the Merrylands RSL Club to continue any conversations started upstairs, some not leaving the establishment until 6 am.
It was a truly great night for the Club who also celebrated 8 consecutive season playing finals footy, but are still keen to progress to higher achievements in all teams, as well as pushing for Premier League in the near future.
Last Modified on 12/11/2014 15:16
