SOME of the WRFL’s brightest young stars came together last night as the league crowned its newest set of junior best and fairest winners.
More than 600 people gathered at the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing for the WRFL’s annual junior presentation night.
Players and coaches were recognised with awards. The top five players in each division were presented with trophies, Interleague best players were recognised and premiership coaches and captains were also presented on stage.
North Melbourne duo Sam Durdin and Corey Wagner were the special guests. The talented young duo spoke about their pathways into the AFL and shared some advice to the junior players in the audience who also dream of playing in the AFL or AFLW competition.
One of the first awards handed out was the Junior Coach of the Year award, which was won by Sunshine Football Club’s Raphael Kardachi.
The Youth Coach of the Year award was won by Altona’s Under-17 coach John Szanyi. John’S Vikings, claimed the premiership at the weekend, the team went through the 2017 season, undefeated.
JUNIOR PRESENTATION - PHOTO GALLERY
Attention then turned to the Junior Best and Fairest awards, our first winner was Sunshine Heights young gun Issah Kailie, he won the Under-11 Division 3 medal.
Jack Gerardi from the West Footscray Football Club won the Under-11 Division 2 best and fairest by one vote.
It was a three-way tie in the Under-11 Division 3 category, Mitchell Gardiner from Werribee Centrals, Harry Orr from Newport Power and Noah Tullio from Werribee Districts all won.
Caroline Springs star Benedict Abiyie and Werribee Centrals youngster Dakota Bajic, both finished on 18 votes to win the Under-12 Division 2 award.
Williamstown Juniors’ Harry Schuurmans capped off his incredible season, winning the Under-12 Division 1 Best and Fairest award.
Kiera Whiley from Caroline Springs won the Under-12 Girls award, she finished three votes ahead of Sierra Grieves from the Yarraville Seddon Eagles.
Yusuf Kailie won his second straight best and fairest award, this year he won the Under-13 Division 3 award. The Sunshine Heights star was also a member of the Dragons’ premiership winning team on the weekend.
Werribee Centrals’ Mabek Atem won the Under-13 Division 2 best and fairest and Williamstown Juniors star Matthew Payne won the Under-13 Division 1 medal.
Wyndham Suns junior Navdeep Singh won the Under-14 Division 2 award. He was five votes clear of second place.
Bailey Moffatt, Under-14 Division 1 premiership captain from Point Cook, won the Under-14 Division 1 Best and Fairest medal.
Albion’s Kyle Holden was the clear winner of the Under-15 Division 2 Best and Fairest. He finished on 24 votes, 12 ahead of second place.
Talented duo Eddie Ford and Nash Reynolds from the Yarraville Seddon Eagles and Werribee Districts Football Clubs won the Under-15 Division 1 medal. The pair both finished on 18 votes.
Dakodah Cott from Tarneit, playing in her first year of football, won the Under-15 Girls award.
Albion’s Darcy McPherson won the Under-17 Division 2 best and fairest. He was six votes ahead of Elliot Tex Cucinotta.
Karan Bharathi from the Altona Junior Football Club won the Under-17 Division 1 award.
Wyndhamvale’s young star Sharnie Whiting capped off her incredible season, she won the Under-18 Girls best and fairest. Three votes ahead of Point Cook’s Emily Gardner.
Interleague best players were also recognised for their achievements during the Junior Metro Championships.
Jack Fletcher (Under-13A), Riley Evans (Under-13B), Jaelen Pavlidis (Under-14 Division 1), Aidan Williams (Under-14 Division 2), Ethan Mantas (Under-15 Division 1), James Callaway (Under-15 Division 2) and Isabelle Pritchard (Under-15 Girls) all claimed awards.
For a full list of Junior votes, click here.
Click here to purchase Presentation photos from Local Legends Photography.
Last Modified on 24/08/2017 11:32