SOUTHS won’t be there in Saturday’s grand final, but they can take some solace in Zac Ewer picking up the biggest individual prize at last night’s AFL Cairns presentation night.
The South Australian product was a standout for the Cutters this season and the umpires agreed as he ran away with the coveted Crathern Medal by six votes.
Ewer polled 25 votes during the season to win from Port Douglas player Thomas Clough on 19 and Cairns City Lions talent Adam Gross (15).
He is only the second South Cairns Cutter to win, the other being Andrew Browning in 2009, although a host of Souths Balaclava players including Kevin Crathern himself won the award between 1958 and 1986.
In reserve grade, Cairns City Lions player Tom Furness defended the Reg Dean Medal for best and fairest he won last year, beating Port’s Andrew McLeod by two votes.
Saints player Jack Bowes won the inaugural Troy Clarke Rising Star award, the nominees all having earned their spots after starring in individual rounds through the season.
Umpire of the year was Rowan Tattersall while Saints player-coach Nick Braybon picked up the coach of the year ahead of his side’s grand final against Port Douglas on Saturday.
North Cairns Tiger Selina Goodman won the women’s best and fairest trophy.
For the third straight year Thomas Clough was voted to have taken the best mark of the season, while the electrifying Adam Gross was awarded for having booted the best goal of the year.
Matt Walsh won another golden boot ahead of Paul Smith, while Joel Kreeck won the reserve grade golden boot.
Souths stalwart Alan Kenyon was awarded the volunteer of the year for his service to the code.
Last Modified on 17/09/2014 21:17