Heidelberg West
4 wins, 12 losses
With all things considered, it was a pretty good year for the Hawks. Having only won two games since the beginning of 2007 - and none in the past two years - finishing the season with four wins was a great improvement for Heidelberg West. Last year's winner of the Division 3 Northern Bullants Coaches Player of the Year Award, Aidan Young, was leading the same competition by six votes when the votes went into hiding with four rounds to go. Young has been the standout midfielder for the Hawks over the past two seasons and should poll well. Bennett Osborne was the leading forward for Heidelberg West in 2010, and one of the premier Centre Half Forwards in Division 3. He finished the season with 55 goals, and kicked some big bags, including 10 of his side's 16 goals against South Morang in Round 17.
Hurstbridge
12 wins, 3 losses
The Bridges went one better than their 2009 efforts and took home the Division 3 premiership and promotion to Division 2 next season. A winning percentage of 80% and the minor premiership should see plenty of votes heading towards Ben Frilay Oval. Nick Milne was the club's leading goalkicker for the year with 70 goals, and was unstoppable early in the year. He kicked 11 goals in Round 3 against Heidelberg West and 14 goals in Round 7 against St Marys - hard to look past those performances. Captain Michael Richards had another solid year and was the play-maker out of the defensive half, while the class of Ben Fennell should have seen him catch the umpire's eye on several occasions throughout 2010.
Panton Hill
12 wins, 4 losses
It was a outstanding finish to the year for Panton Hill, and although they fell to Parkside in the 1st Semi Final, the Redbacks only lost one game after Round 5 and contain a few players who will attract the votes. Captain Will Box had another outstanding and consistent year off the backline for Panton Hill, while coach Jonathon Garrard kicked some massive bags for the club and finished the season as the division's leading goalkicker with 88 goals. The recruitment of Joffa Byron from Montmorency during the season payed immediate dividends and don't be surprised if he makes a late charge for the medal with some complete performances out of the middle.
Parkside
10 wins, 6 losses
Probably not the best home-and-away season from the Devils in comparison to last year, but you only have to look at their performances in the finals to know that they relish the big games and have several matchwinners. Robbie Wise is the defending Division 3 Best and Fairest winner and had another solid year, and although his best games probably came in the finals series, he was named in Parkside's best players in seven of his 14 regular season appearances. In a common theme for Division 3, the Devils' captain Brad Hockey was probably the club's most consistent performer over 2010, not missing a game and was leading their Coaches Player of the Year votes with 11 at the end of Round 14.
Reservoir
12 wins, 3 losses
Similarly to Hurstbridge, Reservoir's superior home-and-away record should see them gain a large amount of votes, especially in the first nine rounds when they sat undefeated on top of the ladder. Dale Breeding was leading their votes in the Coaches Player of the Year Award at the end of Round 14, and came home strongly as he was named in Reservoir's best three players in all of their last three games. The Wight cousins in Brayden and Andrew,both had very solid years. Brayden played every game for the club and was the Mustangs' leading goalkicker with 56, while Andrew was a standout in the ruck and had a good presence around the ground.
South Morang
2 wins, 13 losses
Despite winning the Division 3 Reserves premiership, it was a disappointing year for the South Morang Seniors as they could only manage the two wins - in Round 6 against St Marys and Round 10 against Heidelberg West. Captain Matthew Manning was the leader for the club on the field and was the main vote-getter for the club in the Coaches Player of the Year up until Round 14, although the Lions didn't have any player inside the Top 15. Liam Collier and Leigh Stewart also had strong years for the club, with Stewart named as the best player in their Round 6 win, and third best player in the Round 10 win.
St Marys
2 wins, 13 losses
In their first season with a Senior side, it was always going to be a great unknown as to how St Marys were going to travel. They struggled at the start of the year, being on the end of some pretty heavy hidings, while they eventually found their feet and broke through for two wins in their maiden season - both against South Morang in Round 14 and 18 respectively. Leigh Murphy played in every game for the club and figured amongst the best on eight occasions, while Anthony Demasi was probably their most consistent player over the season, featuring in the best players in the last 11 games, and leading the Burra's Coaches votes at the end of Round 14.
Last Modified on 02/05/2011 12:51