It's Woodend's night of nights tonight as the club celebrates its Annual Best and Fairest count at the Lakeside Reception Centre in the stunning surroundings at Gisborne.
The evening will showcase some of the greatest talent and sparkling sights in the world... and mind you, we're not talking about the players... we're talking about their wonderful partners who will create a stir greater than the AFL Brownlow Medal.
Who will prance down the red carpet and create the greatest stir of the evening? How many jaws will hit the floor? Yes, it is a night for the players but it's even bigger for their partners. We'll assure that our top line Hawk-photographers will be on the front line taking the most amazing pictures that will outshine any FHM or Women's Day Magazine!
The night is going to triple the celebrations of years gone before with 2 Premiership flags hanging over the home of Gilbert Gordon... above all that, we have to celebrate the tremendous night with all of those who helped make it a year to remember!
Our inside tips after the half way mark says that the running for the best and fairest will be close... below are our tips on who we think may just have the edge and take out the honours this evening.
Under 18s:-
Coaches Award:-
Kris Wearne
He has had a tremendous year since joining the team in the opening weeks of the year; he is a strong candidate for the award ahead of last year's winner Robbie Hughes. Kris has been fantastic from the backline all year and his efforts at the ball have earned him the respect of many.
Leading Goal Kicker:-
Jimmy Hepburn
What a season for the fiery goal kicker who led the season goal kicking in the competition and capped off a brilliant year with 7 in the Grand Finale... the AFL record held by Gary Ablett's 9 goal haul in a Grand final at one stage looked under threat had Jimmy not fed off several others. A worthy winner of the best on ground award in that game!
Most Improved:-
John 'Junior' Millard
A great year from Junior who was a marked man for his efforts across half forward, a team would not be fit without him.
3rd B&F:-
Patrick Kopke
He finished runner up to Arnie last year and he has had a fantastic and consistent year over the season. A fantastic season!
2nd B&F:-
Ric Cerminara
He has done it all the season with his courage at the ball and hard running defensive work. Great courage and a great step up this season!
Best and Fairest:-
Shane Bowen
Donk has had a fantastic season and his leadership at either end of the ground could see him bare the fruits of his individual awards. A great season by the skipper!
Reserves:-
Coaches Award:-
Justin 'hotrod' Rodda
An indescribable year by the outstanding ruckmen. Worked hard to deserve his spot in the Senior team with his dedication, commitment and ability to keep persisting when his body isn't willing. A great year for such a young and emerging player.
Leading Goal Kicker:-
Liam 'Burgs' O'Meara
A scintillating season from Burgs who continued to take contested marks and kick plenty of goals despite ongoing pressure from countless opposition players. A great year from Burgs and we hope this effort has him set for greater things in football.
Most Improved:-
Billie Joel Taylor
Joel played some impressive football this season and his commitment at the start of the season outlaid his intentions on what would come his way. He will play senior football on a regular basis next season and his improvement in regards to motivation and determination for the game this year will see just that!
3rd B&F:-
Daniel 'Marto' Martin
No-one could ever question his commitment at the football as a key position player this year and while the goals weren't as free flowing from his long right foot this year, he made sure that he had a hand in many with his contested possession and recovery skills.
2nd B&F
Scott Millard
His improvement this season and ability to blow games away off his own boot will see him poll highly and we think he'll get enough votes to give the major award a tilt. He has caused many opposition players head and heartaches as he knows just where to find the goals and his clever use of the ball to set up team mates on his trusty left boot. Great season!
Best & Fairest
Marcus 'Muppet' Stevens
Mup has truly set the bar for on field and off field leadership. Very unlucky not to play in the Grand final, he has done everything right to support the team with his great skill to measure up equally with his talk. A great year by a great captain.
Seniors:-
Coaches Award:-
Jay Downing
Juba laid everything on the line that he had for the club this season and while at some patches of the season he was sent back to the 2nds to regain some minor confidence, he returned to the team better and stronger than ever which should be admired from his team mates.
Leading Goal kicker:-
Daniel Salpietro
The first season Premiership Hawk has taken the world before him as the prime goal sneak in the competition. He had 49 goals to his tally to be 6 ahead of the nearest Hawk and having only just turned 20, his freakish abilities have shocked even the most talented and experienced footballers in the district.
Most Improved:-
Warren Else
While many names can be thrown into this category, we feel he has done enough to edge passed the others as he has caused headaches for opposition players at both ends of the ground and strengthened himself to again be one of the prime backmen in the competition.
3rd B&F
Guy 'Banga' Donovan
Banga has done nothing short of slicing and dicing every opposition player before him, a tireless worker around the ball and always knocks up getting the football, has deserved the accolades he has received this season which was capped off with a premiership medal.
2nd B&F
Kar Ng Weng
Ninga was the immovable force across the backline and a general in a crisis through the middle, a true fighter and tremendous ball user that has the world at his feet with his blessed ability this season.
Best & Fairest
Daniel Salpietro/Adam Johnstone
It's very hard to split two very hard workers that demonstrate the youth coming up through the Hawk playing ranks. While joint best fairest winners may be off the radar, we think each have played extremely fantastic football for their tasks. Great seasons by both goal sneak and captain.
Best Clubmen:-
U18's:- Max Ambler
Reserves:- Matt Law
Seniors:- Luke Hardwick
Best Young Player Award
Previous Winners:- Sam Bowen, Jay Downing, Ben Shippard
This year our tip is Jarrad Arnold for his outstanding efforts on the wing and backline to star in all 22 games this year.
Trainers Award
Previous Winners:- Jay Downing
This year our tip is Pete Manser for his outstanding commitment to football.
We hope that everyone has a fantastic night and look forward to seeing you all down there! This night takes the cake and excels the Brownlow Medal, no-one knows how to put on a function like the Woodend Hesket football Club and we thank everyone who has helped organised the event with greater thanks to Julie Gove for ticket arrangements!
Last Modified on 14/02/2008 20:57