The 2013 Tony Gillies Medal went the way of Matthew Hodge of the Tamworth Kangaroos on Saturday night. Hodge led from start to finish to win his second Gillies Medal after sharing the award with Paul Brown of the Bulldogs in 2011.
Hodge made his charge in the count through the middle third of the year. Despite leading after 5 rounds, it was a flurry of votes from Round 6 to 12 that secured the award. During that 6 week span, he polled 5 times, 4 of which he was adjudged best on ground by the umpires.
Hamish Bird of the Saints finished in second spot on 13 votes, 8 adrift of Hodge. The youngster capped a successful third year in the TAFL, finishing with enough votes to win the award in previous years.
Jed Ellis-Cluff of the Nomads finished in third position with 12 votes. In Ellis-Cluff's first season of TAFL footy, he has been a pillar of strength for the Minor Premiers and he was rewarded with a consistent result on Saturday night.
Hodge was also successful in winning his first Gerry Griffiths Medal, finishing the year with 60 goals. He finished 10 in front of Ellis-Cluff, with fellow Nomad James Boatfield third with 46 goals.
The Rising Star award was shared this season by two Tamworth youngsters, with Josh Moore of the Swans and Daniel Gimbert of the Roos sharing the prize. It is awarded to the first or second year player aged under 25 years who polls the most votes in the Gillies Medal Count. A one vote effort from Gimbert on Saturday saw him draw equal with Moore on 2 votes.
The SportingPulse award is calculated from the coaches votes each week, with the best player from a team earning 6 points down to the sixth best player earning one point. The winner this year was Luke Robsinson, who was in the best for the Roos on 11 occastions. He just tipped out Brian Martin of the Cats, who despite being in the best one less time than Robinson, had accrued just one point less than the Kangaroo.
The 2013 Golden Whistle was awarded to Lindsay Brash, who was rewarded for a consistent season with the whistle in hand.
Last Modified on 12/08/2013 11:09