Article from http://blacktownmagic.com.au/2015-best-and-fairest-race-the-closest-to-date/
With the club still riding high off the back of the Grand Final win in Division Two, all club members banded back together for the coveted Best and Fairest count for 2015 last Saturday night, at The Hills Club in Baulkham Hills. The night of nights began with a slightly competitive barefoot bowls session, something which brought a smile to all those in attendance, and thankfully the weather was kind enough for that to occur.
Then to start the official proceedings of the night, Club President – John Clifford – acknowledged the achievements of our inaugural Women’s Team, the stellar efforts of the Division Four team and our recent Premiership winning team in Division Two. It was also a great opportunity to acknowledge and thank our fantastic volunteers, coaching staff and physiotherapy team who all contributed to one of the most successful years we have had to date.
Some striking statistics were provided by our Football Ops Director – Mark Barclay – 5 / 4 /3 / 2 /1 – providing an overview of the recent successes of the club:
5 – Grand Finals we have competed in, in the;
4 – Years that we started the Magic, which has produced;
3 – Premiership flags and resulted in;
2 – Sydney AFL Leading goal kicking awards to club members and impressively
1 – Women’s finals campaign in one year of competing in the Women’s AFL competition
Our Women’s head coach – John Dimond – applauded the efforts and approach that the Women’s team had in their first year maintaining a fun learning environment being the key to success. John also highlighted some incredible achievements made by some of our Magicians in the Sydney Women’s Football Association with Simone Freeman finishing equal 3rd in the League’s Best and Fairest and Quincy Dorans finished 8th in the Rising Star votes. It was a big year for our ladies with many of them not having played a single game of footy prior coming to the Magic, so to make the finals and exceed all expectations, it is something to write into the history books.
In reserve grade, Division Four head coach – Dan Clifford – discussed the challenges and successes in managing an ever changing reserve grade roster. The team started the year on fire, winning 4 out of the first 5 matches and sitting in first place, but injuries, promotions to the first team and unavailability to several members of the squad made it difficult to maintain continuity and structures. However he paid tribute to the culture and commitment from the playing group to stick together through the tough times to finish off a very challenging year with two very impressive wins.
The talk of the town was up next.
As a club, we have been very fortunate to be able to compete strongly since we began and this year was no different. Our first grade team went one further than last year and were successful in bringing home another Premiership flag from Division Two, earning themselves the opportunity for promotion in 2016. Co-coach – Ash Moeller – reflected on the year that was and how it presented many challenges with the playing roster being impacted by other commitments but when the time mattered in September, the strongest squad was available which made the difference in the finals run.
However it was the count that everyone was eager to watch – and it did not disappoint. It was the closest count we have ever had across all three teams with the result still up for grabs until the final home and away games. After the first 6 rounds of the Best and Fairest count completed, the leaders were…
Womens – Ash Pobjie
Reserves – Dan Nieass
Seniors – Dave Bertram
After round 12…
Womens – Simone Freeman
Reserves – Scotty Coombes
Seniors – Dave Bertram
After round 15…
Reserves – Scott Coombes and Connor Moore
Senoirs – Dave Bertram
Announcement of the winners:
The inaugural winner of the Women’s Best & Fairest was and tie with Ashlee Weir & Simone Freeman being the joint winners.
The Reserve Grade Mens Best & Fairest for 2015 finished with Connor Moore, 2 votes ahead of 2014 winner Scott Coombes.
The First Grade Men’s Best & Fairest for 2015 was Dave Bertram, also 2 votes ahead of Daniel Lim.
2015 Best and Fairest Winners: Simone Freeman & Ashlee Weir / Dave Bertram
Last Modified on 01/10/2015 11:13
