Hobart JEEP Zebras winger Dwayne Walsh is the surprise winner of the 2016 Mitsubishi Motors Best and Fairest Medal after he stormed home to claim 16 votes in the final 10 rounds and win the count on 21 votes from the pre medal favourite Shane Cartwright and his Zebras teammate James Sherman, who both polled 17 votes. South Hobart striker Alex Leszczynski polled 18 votes and Devonport midfielder Joel Stone polled 17, but the pair were ineligible to win having received red cards in games throughout the season.

Walsh was not in the top 20 players after 12 rounds of the 21 had been counted, sitting on just five votes at that stage but he came home strong and polled in five consecutive games from rounds 13-17 to storm into the lead. When he polled five votes across round’s 19 and 20 he had an unassailable lead at the top of the leaderboard with a round to spare. Alex Leszczynski was the only man who could reach his tally, but he was ruled out due to his red card against the Zebras earlier in the year.

Walsh was not considered amongst the favourites to win the medal but enjoyed a stellar year after being moved to the right wing, having spent last season playing as a full back. He scored 9 goals and was a part of Zebras side that finished in second position on the NPL TAS table. His eye catching style of powerful runs down the right wing and searing speed clearly left an impression on the referees as he polled 4 best on grounds, 3 two vote games and three 1 vote games in his total of 21.

In other awards, the first ever Players Player award, with the most regular starting eleven players voting 5-1 on the best player in the competition went to Devonport goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos. He was the runaway winner in the eyes of his peers, polling 213 votes. In second place was Shane Cartwright on 132 votes. Devonport Striker Brayden Mann came in third on 90 votes with his teammate Joe Zupo fourth on 90 votes. South Hobart full back Liam Quaile rounded on the top five on 81 votes.

Quaile also took out the rising star award as the best young player to have established himself in the league in 2016 as voted by the coaches. He automatically receives one of three Tasmanian spots at the PS4 Player Pathways Progam later in the year to be held in Sydney for the best players under 20 outside of the A-League.

It was a good night for Devonport players on the day they were presented with the Premiers trophy, Brayden Mann winning his fourth consecutive golden boot, for his 24 goals this season and also taking out the goal of the year for his miraculous free kick against the Kingborough Lions in Round 14.

The coach of the year unsurprisingly went to Peter Savill for his work in guiding the Devonport Strikers to the title and their 14 clean sheets ensured Niko Giantsopoulos comfortably won the Golden Glove award, with more than twice the clean sheets of his nearest rival.

The Specsave of the year went to Kingborough Lions keeper Mark Grace for his amazing save against Launceston City whilst the Referee of the Year went to Breton Kopra.

Final Mitsubishi Medal Leaderboard

Dwayne Walsh 21

Alex Leszczynski* 18

Shane Cartwright 17

James Sherman 17

Joel Stone* 17

Brody Denehey 14

Nick Mearns 14

Brayden Mann 13

Gavin Hoy 13

Joe Zupo 12

Adam Mckeown 11

Jack Turner* 10

Liam Quaile 10

 

Players Player Voting

5 – Liam Quaile (South Hobart) – 81 Votes

4 – Brayden Mann (Devonport Strikers) – 90 Votes

3 – Joe Zupo (Devonport Strikers) – 103 Votes

2 – Shane Cartwright – 132 Votes

1 – Niko Giantsopolous – 213 Votes

 

Other Award Winners

Rising Star- Liam Quaile (South Hobart FC)

Coach of the year- Peter Savill (Devonport Strikers)

Goal of the Year- Brayden Mann (Devonport Strikers)

Specsave of the Year- Mark Grace (Kingborough Lions)

Golden Boot- Brayden Mann 24 goals (Devonport Strikers)

Golden Glove- Niko Giantsopoulos 14 Clean Sheets (Devonport Strikers)

Referee of the Year- Brenton Kopra