Western Magpies coach Paul Grentell stated in the Grand Final edition of the AFL QLD Football Record that the Magpies entering Division 1 would be “fantastic for someone like Val Pope. He’s a guy I’d pay money to watch play. He’s a star of Queensland football in my opinion and it’s huge that he’ll get an opportunity.”
Grentell’s comments were somewhat justified on Saturday Night when Pope won the Bill Pierce Medal for the Magpies Best and Fairest in its 2008 Premiership winning season. The hard working midfielder with freakish marking ability and the admirable trait of also being a regular goal kicker saw Pope take out the award polling 35 votes, 5 clear of midfield team mate Richard Whenham on 30 votes.
Whenham followed up his R/U Best and Fairest by also taking out the clubs best midfielder award and was followed closely by young dynamo Greg Friis on 26 votes with the 17 year old taking out the Most Consistent award.
Other individual winners from the Premiers Awards Night were:
Best Back – Mark Dowley
Best Forward – Adam Gillespie
BG Award – Tim McEvoy
Best Finals Player – Luke Scott
Rookie of the Year – Gerard Moore
The Reserve Grade Best and Fairest was Jye Spencer on 27 votes in a breathtaking result only 1 vote ahead of Runner Up Blake McLennan who polled 26 votes only 2 votes clear of third place getter Luke Knight.
In the U/18 vote count Mark Stratton on 24 votes took out the Maurie McNamee Medal 1 vote clear of Daniel Massey on 23 who finished 2 votes clear of Cory Colhoun on 21 Votes.
Reserves
B & F --Jai Spencer
Runner-up B & F --Blake McClennan
Most Consistent -- Luke Knight
Best Back-- Scott Hughes
Best Midfield-- Matthew Page
Best Forward --Jay Baker
Most Improver Player --Dominic Bere
Best Player in Finals --Cameron Thomas
Under 18s
Best and Fairest (Maurie McNamee Medal) Mark Stratton
Best & Fairest Runner up Dan Massey
Most Consistent Cory Colhoun
Most Improved Jordan Paterson
Encouragement Award Matthew Green
Russell Green Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year --Gary Shaw (Under 18 Assistanrt Coach)
With the final ceremonies of the 2008 Premiership Season now complete the young Magpies will now focus on preparing for Sate League Division 1 football.
Pre-Season Training begins on Tuesday November 11 5.30pm @ Corinda SHS.
“SWOOP 09”
Last Modified on 15/10/2009 15:16