Brice Starr-Stephens - 100 games
Brice came to the Crows in 2006 and slotted into the U10 Red team even though he was only 8. Brice quickly grasped the game and how to play and his first coach praised him for his determination at training and in games. Brice won the Coaches award for most consistent that year. In 2007 Brice remained in the U10s with the majority of the boys from last year. In only his second year Brice was part of the undefeated Premiership team our first U10 team to win a flag after several attempts.
In 2008 Brice showed great endurance in playing U10s and playing up into the U11s with his teammates from the previous year. Brice helped the U11s remain undefeated until the Grandfinal when they lost in appalling conditions in poor rain and a field that resembled a lake. Brice won the most improved award for the season.
In 2009 Brice lined up in the U12 Gold team ( 11yr olds). Brice again played additional games playing up into the U12 Red team and was a valuable part of their success. Brice won the Fairest & Best for the Gold Team and went onto to win his 2nd Premiership medal with the Red team. In 2010 Brice lined up in the U12 Red team looking for his 3rd premiership in 4 years. The team was never far from the front and made the finals. Brice came into his own once the finals started and played with determination and controlled aggression that the opposition could not counter. Brice won his 3rd medal and was considered robbed of the best on ground in grand final where he clearly stood out as the best all over the ground.
Well done Brice, what a fantastic start to what we hope is a long and rewarding journey in the game of AFL. You have achieved what many can only dream of with your 3 premiership medals. Brice is currently training with the Western Sydney U13 Pioneers in hope of gaining selection for the State carnival in Albury in October. Good luck, keep up the effort and you’ll be there for sure.
Ryan Higgins - 100 games
Ryan came to the Crows in 2005 turning 8 at the start of the season. Ryan initially started with the U9 Auskick squad but it took only 5-6 kicks and a couple of marks to see Ryan was past the basic skills. He joined the U10 team and fitted straight in even if we could not get a word out of him. Ryan’s Father Kevin shed some light on his development when he told us of his long history in the game and that Ryan’s older brothers had played with one making the NSW Rams U16 team.
Ryan showed in his first year that he would be an asset to the teams he played with. A remarkable effort to share the Fairest & Best in his first year. In 2006 Ryan stayed with the same team as they developed into a threat to win the premiership and become our first U10 premiers. The team made the grandfinal only to lose to rivals of the last few years the Penrith Swans. Ryan ended another fine season with a 2nd Fairest & Best award. 2007 would see him play his last year of U10s and could he make it 3 from 3 for the top award. Ryan proved to be one of the team’s main strengths in their undefeated season that saw them become the club’s first U10 premiers. Ryan was tipped out of the Fairest & Best Awards however secured the Managers award and his first premiership medal.
In 2008 Ryan progressed with his teammates into the U11 competition and again was one of the core players. Relishing the removal of the Zones from U10 we started to see what speed and agility Ryan had. There is not much more exciting than watching Ryan run and weave at full speed bouncing the ball and finally disposing out it with a lovely drop punt. The team remained undefeated until the grand final when they lost in horrible wet conditions. Ryan missed out on his 2nd premiership medal however he was rewarded for an outstanding season with his 3rd Fairest & Best award in 4yrs.
Ryan and his mates stepped up into the U12s and were rated as Premiership favourites. The early season form of other clubs showed they had recruited well and also trained hard as they were very competitive. Ryan was again in the leading group of our players and his running game was a seen as a threat to other teams who tried to close him down. They weren’t very successful and in the second half of the season Ryan had figured out how to get away from taggers. The team made the finals and faced elimination each week but kept on doing enough to win and take out the Premiership for the 2nd time in 3 yrs. Ryan had secured his 2nd premiership medal and a week later at our Presentation Awards secured his 4th Fairest & Best award in 5yrs and we still couldn’t get a word out of him.
2010 saw Ryan step up into the U14s, he was back with some mates from his first couple of years in the U10s. Ryan now faced the transition from U12s to U14s, modified rules to full rules with opposition players have much bigger bodies. Ryan showed his attacking skills can match any of those from the opposition. He was quick and graceful whether zipping in to pick up a loose ball with one hand or going on one of his weaving runs with a few bounces. He proved an asset to the team in attack who boasted a fantastic season being undefeated premiers. Ryan secured his 3rd premiership medal but was unable to maintain his dominance in the Club awards with the older and bigger boys dominating here.
Ryan continues to be a quiet achiever. He didn’t want any fuss over his 100th game, he just wanted to play footy. No doubt he will be embarrassed over this recognition but how can we let one of our favourite sons not have his outstanding record put in the spotlight for us all to see.
Well done Ryan, we will watch your last 3 years as a Crow with interest and admiration.
Nathaniel Loveday - 100 games
Nathaniel started with the Crows in 2004 in Auskick U9s. He developed his skills quickly and in 2005 he joined one of the two U10 teams. Nathaniel quickly adapted to the game and showed he was going to be a fierce competitor in the coming years. In only his 1st year he won the Team Player of the Year.
In 2006 Nat stayed with the same team along with Ryan Higgins and they would be long term teammates together. The team made the grand final only to lose to rivals of the last few years the Penrith Swans. 2007 would see Nat in his last year of U10s and after playing with mostly the same boys for 2 to 3yrs they finally became our club’s first U10 premiers. Nathaniel became an important member of the team being the mainstay of the defence something he would be acknowledged for in future years.
In 2008 Nat progressed with his teammates into the U11 competition. Nat became an important part of the core playing group of this team. He lead the defence for the team and was often our last line of hope but always proved to be Mr Reliable. Unfortunately defensive players are not usually acknowledged by those giving out votes but those who understand the game appreciate his efforts.
2009 had Nat step up to the U12s who were rated as Premiership favourites after 1 loss in 2yrs. This year the team had real competition and relied on Nat and his fellow defenders to save the day a lot more than previous years. The team made the finals and faced elimination each week but kept on doing enough to win and take out the Premiership for the 2nd time in 3 yrs. Nat had a stellar year and won the Managers Award for his defensive efforts.
In 2010 Nat step up into the U14s. Nat was now competing with opposition players who had much bigger bodies. With the same courage and determination he had shown for the last 5 yrs Nat again stood out as a key position player in defence. The team would go on the boast the best defensive record in our club’s history and this can be attributed to Nat and his fellow defenders. Nat also managed to secure his 3rd premiership medal something many of us can only dream of.
Well done Nathaniel, your progression has been great to watch and we will be keen to witness your last 3 years as a Crow.
Jackson Bridge 100 Games
Jackson joined the Crows in 2004 starting off in Auskick as a 5yr old. In 2006 while in the U9s he played his first competitive games in the U10s with the Red team. Jackson played 8 games and showed he was ready for U10s in 2007. In 2007 Jackson took his place in the undefeated premiership team and showed that even though he was 1-2yrs younger he had the skills to compete with the best. Jackson is a great example of how the Auskick program when taught correctly generates young footballers with skills and ability to gives them confidence to progress. One year in U10s and one premiership medal!
2008 saw Jackson become one of the senior players in U10s. He also played up into the U11s and contested the finals series with them. He came so close to winning 2 premiership medals in a row but the team lost narrowly in the Grand Final. In 2009 Jackson played Div 2 U12s in the Gold team and again showed he was a key player in their season.
In 2010 Jackson lined up in the U12s Gold for the second year. This season saw Jackson take on the role of one of the leaders as he and a couple of his team mates were the most experienced and were charged with guiding a lot of new players through the year. Jackson also played in the older U12 Red team during the year to be qualified for the finals and he was able to secure his second premiership medal by helping out this team.
In 2011 Jackson played his 3rd year in U12s and again assumed a leadership role. Jackson has shown that his application to developing his skills and knowledge of the game has benefited himself as well as our club. Jackson played his 100th game on the 30th July running through the banner and a tunnel of his teammates and the boys from the U12 gold team. Jackson played his usual solid game in the U12s and then went onto to play in the U14s against the 2nd place team where he held his own against bigger opponents and managed to bang in a goal.
Well done Jacko on a great 100 games so far, 2 premiership medals and we are sure more are to come.
Mitchell Levick - 100 Games
Mitchell joined with Crows in 2006 with his older brother Matthew. To make it easy for Mum and Dad to get around Mitchell would find himself playing against older and bigger boys in his first year. This didn’t worry Mitchell or the fact he was height challenged. In 2006 Mitchell played in the Blue team that made it through to the Grand final and while they didn’t win what a start to your AFL career. In 2007 he backed up again with the U10s and as his skills improved became a valuable member of the team. In his second year he managed to go one better and win a premiership medal.
In 2008 Mitchell went up to the U11s with his team mates of the last year and a bit while he could have remained in the U10s. This year saw Mitchell also play the occasional game in the 12s. The U11s finished the year undefeated only to lose the Grand final in horrible weather and conditions still 3 grand finals in 3 years is a good record.
In 2009 Mitchell played U12s and continue to show size meant little when it came to putting your body on the line. Mitchell was getting his head over the ball and winning a lot of free kicks as a reward. He and his teammates turned their season around and for Mitchell and a few others it would be 4 grand finals in a row. When the big game had finished Mitchell had walked away with his 2nd premiership medal.
2010 and Mitchell was at last playing against boys his own age. His year was a mirror image of 2009 with the boys improving in the second half of the season and making it through to the grand final. How was this, 5 from 5! Once again when the final siren sounded Mitchell was up collecting his 3rd premiership medal in 5 years.
2011 and Mitchell stepped up to youth football and the U14s and plays with the benefit of 5 great years in juniors where he has honed his skills and learnt about this great game.
Mitchell achieved a great milestone with 100 games on the 6th August while only being 13. He other milestone of participating in 5 straight grand finals and walking away with 3 premierships is something a lot of us will only ever dream of. Well done Mitchell and we look forward to you adding to your grand final appearances in the future.
Last Modified on 22/07/2012 23:17