A near record attendance donned suits and frocks on Saturday night at Penrith Paceway for the 2014 Penrith Rams Michael Walker Medal.
Hosted by Emu Plains Lions President, Sean Hogan, there were to be many close encounters in the five medal counts.
Jake Pianta took out the coveted Michael Walker Medal from Matthew Laffan, securing his win late in the count with 22 votes on the traditional 3-2-1 system with four best on grounds. The dapper former East Coast Eagles and Carlton scholarship holder was magnificent during the season and promises many good years ahead of him. Jake was narrowly defeated in the Player’s Player count, running a close second to first year Rams midfielder, Matthew Laffan, a very talented Victorian product of Assumption College who earlier collected trophy number three as the best Rams first year player.
Reserve Grade saw a great battle throughout with a host of players in contention throughout the count. In the end, a single vote separated winner Ben Mayer who took the Geoff Eldering Medal from Mitchell Stevens by 11 votes to 10. Ben had previously run second in the McFarlane Medal in the Association Awards at Doltone House along with second in the best looking bloke on the end of season cruise on the Rhapsody of the Sea the previous week. Ben also took out the Player’s Player award for Reserve Grade.
The battle for the Ramettes was also hot, but this year it was to be the representative duo of Nat Camilleri and Nikki Perrett to fight out the finish. Two major bests for Nikki saw her victorious with 26 points over Natalie’s 24 points with Perrett adding to her association medal won a few weeks earlier, with two time winner Camilleri running second. Nat also featured highly in the association awards. 2012 Rising Star winner, Stephanie Kostic, was awarded the prestigious Player’s Player Award.
Third grade also saw a photo finish with the lead changing on numerous occasions during the countdown. Veteran Ram, Ross Donaldson took the medal with 12 votes from Bryce Roney on 11 points whilst Tayt Corless won the Players Player award.
In The Under 19’s Jacob Field stormed home with 11 out of the available 12 votes in the last four rounds to grab victory in the Alan Stewart Medal by a point to Pat Pope. Pat had previously run second in the Hart Medal for the association best. Zac Pianta made it a double for the family by taking out the Player’s Player Award.
Two players celebrated their two hundred game milestone during the year and were presented with signed match balls. A magnificent achievement by Christian Triffitt and Alan Prowse who both gave emotional speeches about their time with the club.
Another highlight of the night was the inclusion of Stuart Ayres to the elite Life Membership Club. The Member for Penrith, Police Minister, Sport and Recreation Minister and Assistant Minister for Western Sydney was in attendance with his partner, Senator Marise Payne to accept the award and made a heartfelt speech about his time as a 200 game player and board member of the club over many years.
One of the most important awards a club can bestow is the Clubperson of the Year Award. Last year’s winner, board member Jennifer Brown, presented Christian Triffitt with this honour. Christian received a huge ovation from the crowd in recognition of his work including setting up, packing up, scoreboard attendant, runner, club photographer, bus driver, BBQ chef and a multitude of other duties performed over many years. In between all this, he plays footy.
An auction for a GO Foundation Mickey O and Adam Goodes limited edition Sherrin raised good money for the GO foundation and the club with spirited bidding, first grade coach Barry Denton edging out Stuart Ayres for the prized memorabilia.
Full award winner attached.
Last Modified on 09/07/2015 13:57