Orignally published at http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-1047-58747-0-0&sID=261048&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=37618063
On Friday 23rd October the 2015 AFL season was brought to a close in style with a massive crowd on hand to celebrate the end to a successful 2015 season for the growth AFL Sydney club.
The club’s first grade side finished minor premiers and grand finalists in their first season under former Swans and Giants academy coach Chris Hughes, whilst in the same season the club expanded to include a third men’s side, that was very competitive throughout the year.
The first grade best and fairest count was a tight contest with two backmen, James Bottin-Noonan and vice-captain Mark Maher going toe-to-toe for the Cats top honour. Maher entered the evening a hot favourite, but it was Bottin-Noonan who jumped out to an early lead, polling strongly in the early part of the season in his first at the Camden club.
With both Bottin-Noonan and Maher struggling to poll votes in the later rounds of the season, it came down to the final round to determine the 2015 best and fairest winner. Maher polled three votes in the final round, enabling him to leapfrog Bottin-Noonan by one vote to take out his first Camden Cats best & fairest award.
Cats skipper Josiah Ayling stayed in the hunt throughout the count, despite missing a large part of the season with a knee injury. He finished in third place, despite missing 7 games. The Player’s Player Award went to Mark Maher, whilst Camden enforcer and hardman Mark Halteh received the Coaches Award.
Some more positive news for the Cats out of the evening was the announcement that the top three best and fairest finishers Maher, Bottin-Noonan and Ayling have all already committed to the Cats for the 2016 season.
The reserve grade best and fairest was one of the most open contests in years with up to five players in the hunt. Hard running midfielder Jared Mulaney (who missed a large part of the 2015 season due to overseas travel) won his first best and fairest award in his first season at the club, edging out centre half forward Adam Noyce by one vote.
Mulaney also impressed his teammates, picking up the Player’s Player Award, whilst 18-year-old young gun Liam Jesson won the Coaches Award after a solid first season in the senior ranks. Jesson will play an integral role in the club’s division one under 19’s side next year.
With over 60 players having pulled on a Cats jumper in third grade in 2015, the best and fairest race appeared on the surface to be wide open, however in the end it was a one horse race, with English rugby convert Joe Rawlins easily beating out Tom Vella by 5 votes. Vella had a great overall season (polling votes across all three grades) as he played his way into the first grade side for the final series, including the grand final.
The third grade Coaches Award was shared between Ben Towers and Jonathan Cotsios, whilst the Player’s Player Award was also shared, this time between Joe Rawlins and club favourite James “Snowy” Surridge, who improved as the season went on.
Along with the on field awards the Cats also recognised various off field awards for those people showing outstanding dedication and commitment to the club. Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Bel Hunt for her tireless and selfless efforts week in week out, whilst quiet achiever Grant James was awarded the “Spirit of Camden” award for his consistent demonstration of the club’s values; pride, passion and respect.
Brett Foster, more commonly known as “Beavis” around the club was inducted as the club’s thirteenth life member. A club stalwart for over 10 years, Beavis can be found most weekends of the AFL season standing behind the goals as the club’s volunteer goal umpire. Always keen to “have a chat”, Brett’s speech brought a smile to everyone in the room, as he recounted some of his favourite moments over his 10 year involved at the Camden Cats.
The Camden Cats can’t wait for the 2016 AFL Sydney season to get started.
Last Modified on 18/11/2015 15:40
