By Kirstie Fitzgerald
It was the night of night for the WRFL’s finest young talent, as more than 470 guests gathered at the Wyndham Cultural Centre for the 2015 Junior Presentation Night.
Hosted by WRFL Football Operations and Club Development Officer, Tim Shellcot, the top five players from each junior competition as well as premiership captains and coaches were honoured for their exceptional performances this year.
In a first for the league, the night also recognized some of this season’s AFCA Coach of the Year recipients for their working in teaching our up and coming future talent.
Handing out those awards this year was none other than Western Bulldogs game record-holder and AFL Hall of Fame player, Brad Johnson.
With special guest Sean Sowerby from 7News interviewing Johnson about his rise up the ranks since his junior days at the Hoppers Crossing Football Club, the winners from the Under 11 competitions were announced.
Despite missing out on premiership glory, Williamstown Juniors star Matthew Payne took home best and fairest honours in the Under 11A competition on 18 votes, while Wyndham Suns junior Oliver Correia polled the highest (26 votes) to win the Under 11B best player.
After booting 57 goals this season, Manor Lakes captain Matthew Stephenson capped off his year with the Under 11C best and fairest after polling 39 votes out of a possible 42.
In the Under 12 competition, Point Cook’s Massimo D’Ambrosio (17 votes) became a three-time consecutive junior best and fairest winner after pipping Williamstown Junior Campbell Oldman by one vote (16) for the Under 12A medallion.
Altona Juniors star Brodie Hicks’ season was one to remember after polling 34 votes to become the Under 12B top player, while St. Bernards’ Lucas Edmonds was awarded the Under 12C prize on 30 votes.
Yarraville Seddon had something to cheer about after teammates Samuel Metcalfe (25 votes) and Paul Tsapatolis (22 votes) polled in the top two spots in the Under 13A award, while Jordan Bailey (Werribee Centrals) was named the best player in the Under 13B competition.
If the premiership medallion wasn’t enough for Sunshine’s Atali Patrice, an Under 13C best and fairest award would do the trick after polling 29 votes ahead of PEGS Junior Xavier Tigani (24 votes).
The premiership theme continued to run in the Under 14 competitions with Jett Matthews (Sanctuary Lakes) taking home Under 14A honours, premiership co-captain Harrison White (Werribee Centrals) awarded the Under 14B medal, while Mutaz El Nour (Deer Park) made it back to back wins in the Under 14C competition.
At the pinnacle of the junior competition, it seemed green and gold were the main attractions in the Under 16A count, with four out of the top five players coming from the Spotswood Football Club.
Stephen Syme took home the Under 16A award (15 votes) in a tight race over teammates Toby Kopa (13 votes) and Zak Busuttil (12 votes), while St. Albans tall-man Buku Kamis made it two on the trot with a win in the Under 16B division.
Premiership player Leo Eliepa (Sanctuary Lakes) was dominant in the Under 16C competition on 31 votes and Luke Timms (Wyndhamvale) was judged best afield in the Under 16D grade.
The vast diversity and skill seen in the Youth Girls competition was on show in the best and fairest, with six different teams represented in the top five players.
Wyndhamvale’s Naomi Ferres (16 votes) snuck home over Point Cook’s Chloe Child (15 votes) to join an emerging list of Youth Girl best and fairest players after fellow teammate Brooke Eley took home the same award in 2014.
While all premiership captains and coaches were presented with the Grand Final trophies for their team’s achievements, eight other individuals were recognised for their efforts in the WRFL Junior Interleague competition earlier this year.
Despite not earning premiership glory, St Bernard’s Ryan Tormey (Under 13A) and Werribee Centrals’ Jordan Bailey (Under 13B) had something to smile about after being awarded best interleague players from their respective grades.
Joining them in the other divisions were Altona Juniors duo Bailey Johnson (Under 16) and Spencer Johnson (Under 14 Division Two) as well as St Bernard’s Jeremy O’Sullivan (Under 14 Division One), Yarraville Seddon’s Owen King (Under 15 Division One), St. Albans’ James Krajina (Under 15 Division Two) and Deer Park star Stephanie Guastalegname (Youth Girls).
For a full list of junior votes from season 2015, please CLICK HERE...
Last Modified on 27/08/2015 10:42