The 2016 SUANFC season officially came to an end on Saturday night, as Club members filled the halls of St Andrew’s College to celebrate the season that was.
Among a field of outstanding candidates including Liz Hawtin, Sam Sleigh, Daniel Gilmore, Michael Murray and Trent Millsteed, SUANFC President Chas Wilkinson was awarded the prestigious Cec & Bunty Clubperson of the Year for his incomparable efforts in all areas of SUANFC. Outgoing General Manager Tristan Liles, Prems/Blues team manager Liz Hawtin and player/committee member Josh Cutrupi received outstanding contributions for their undivided attention to the club in 2016.
Club-favourite Nigel Tao was awarded Life Membership following his dedication to SUANFC over the past 11 years. beginning his playing career for the hoops in 2006, Tao served 6 years on the committee as membership officer and 2 years as coach of Golds and Plats while playing. On the field Tao was a Reds B&F winner and Premiership captain with the Golds.
Allister Clarke capped off a successful season, taking home the Harvey Gordon Trophy for the best & fairest in Premier Division. Clarke finished with 45 votes for the season, 13 ahead of teammate Luke Vella (6-5-4-3-2-1 voting system), while Monty Krochmal polled 26 votes to claim third. Captain Tom Elkington picked up the leading goalkicker award after booting 21 goals, while Olly Mahoney and Matt Powys picked up the coaches and most consistent awards in Premier Division.
Sam Ryan was the undisputed winner of the Laurie Kirwin Medal (Division 1 best & fairest) after polling 59 votes in 2016, including a stretch of 6 best-on-ground performances in 7 games. Ruckman Ryan Kennedy finished runner-up to Ryan after another consistent season. John Walsh was a deserving winner of the coaches award, and backman Michael Fogarty capped off a great season winning the most consistent Blues player.
Reds captain Stephen Lloyd won the Finton O’Connor Medal for the best & fairest player in Division 2 following an outstanding year in the ruck. Lloyd also took home the Col Keeble Most Consistent Player Award, for the club-wide most consistent player. Plats coach Brent Pollock was a surprise winner of the Reds runner-up best & fairest, after playing just 10 games. Peter Schmidt was awarded the coaches award, while Brendon Clendenning won the most consistent Reds player in 2016.
After a season that included a 9-game winning streak, the Golds celebrated Ryan Nyberg as their best & fairest player this season. Chris Mohen, Matt Zaunmayr and Brad Elstub were among the other award winners for the division 4 side.
Manning Begg capped off a stellar debut season for the Students, winning the Division 5 Plats best & fairest ahead of Axel Norris. Kieran Matic and Geordie Costello picked up the most consistent and coaches awards.
In other club-wide awards, Tim Lay took out the Rainbows Leading Goalkicker with 35 goals. Tom Whitaker was the Club’s Most Improved Player, while Sebastian Duggan was named SUANFC’s Best First Year Player.
Finally, Colt Xavier Nelson was awarded the Wilbur Macbeth Junior Clubperson of the Year for his efforts guiding the Colts program in 2016.
Last Modified on 31/10/2016 11:37
