South Cairns ruckman Andrew Browning capped a stellar debut year in the AFL Cairns competition by winning the 2009 Crathern Medal after being named the league's best and fairest last night.
The Bundaberg native dominated the count at Cazalys’ Allen Aylett Room to finish with 25 votes.
Trailing Browning was a pair of on-ballers. Port Douglas’ Caydn Beetham finished with 18 votes, while Centrals Trinity Beach’s Josh Maher polled 16.
But the night belonged to Browning, who treated audience members to a full-length rendition of the Van Morrison classic Jackie Wilson Said – complete with dance moves – after accepting the award.
The former Morningside player, who was recruited to the Far North by Cutters coach Steve Daniel, was seven votes clear after 14 rounds and never looked like being overrun for the top honour.
With the medal hung around his neck, Browning said receiving the award came as a complete shock.
"I thought I had absolutely no chance," he said. "I thought everyone was just pulling my chain when they said I could win.
"It has been way better than I ever thought it would be coming up to Cairns. Everything to do with the football club has been brilliant."
This week has the potential to be especially memorable for Browning, who will run on for the Cutters in Saturday’s grand final against Cairns Saints at Cazalys.
Browning, who polled a maximum three votes on five occasions, said winning the season decider would be the icing on the cake.
"Hopefully we can go through and win it," he said.
Last Modified on 15/09/2009 10:04