A packed house gave a standing ovation to the popular captain of the Mayne AFC as he was announced the 2007 club champion at the presentation night held late in October at the Full Moon Hotel. Andrew Housego polled in almost every game he played this year to edge out his younger brother Glen in a tight finish.
Andrew - married in June to Jodi Campbell, daughter of club stalwart and life member Murdoch - managed to take out his 3rd club champion award even though he missed 4 games with work, wedding "commitments" and injury. He bravely played through the last month of the season with a broken thumb and was called upon to fill the depleted tigers midfield at various stages through the year.
Even with the limited success the Tigers endured on the scoreboard in 2007, Housego was genuinely excited when asked about the Tigers' prospects for 2008 :
The outlook is as good as it has been at any time in the last 10 years, since the old days at Grafton Street. The benefits of Mayne juniors (the under 18s fielded a side for the first time in 8 years finishing 3rd) flowing into senior football with the club are endless. We saw a sample of the potential this year, but we'll start to reap rewards next year, as the young players now have a year of experience behind them. We're now in a strong position to recruit some high quality experienced players to compliment the youth at the club. We have always been no more than a handful of players away from being a very good side, and that handful should be on the field for us next year. For the first time in many years, there will be an abundance of players on the list, which will put pressure on players to perform at senior and reserve grade level."
To add to a stellar evening for Andrew he was also named as the 2007 "Players player" as voted by his peers.
Other award recipients on the night were:
Glen Housego - Runner up best and fairest
Jeames Gillett - 3rd Club Champion / most improved
Tom Falconer - Most consistent
Tye Morrison - Coach's award
David McKay - Best team man
Last Modified on 29/05/2008 10:25