With over 100 guests in attendance last Wednesday Panther's mid fielder Clinton Evans took out the Bernie Gottke Medal for the Best and Fairest player in the AFL Capricornia competition. Evans, in front on the leader board until the second last vote counted when 2005 medal winner Darren Boase from the BITS club secured two votes to lead by one. Evans then landed the three votes to win 23 votes to 21.
In a first for the league the awards dinner was staged as a midweek event. With special guest Darryl White in attendance space ticket sales exceeded the expectations of the members. Ex-medal winner Wayne Clifford now Australian triathlon tam captain was master of ceremonies and conducted a sportsman's interview with Darryl who brought both insights and humour to the night. Comments' offering that the awards dinner was the best ever may see the formula maintained for years to come.
The event was also attended by League Life members John Broad and Graham Orr along with sponsors Southern Cross Ten, Trend Interiors Carpet Court and Quality Inn Centre Point Motel.
Boase was the recipient of two awards winning the Leading Goal kicker in A grade with 65 goals before being named runner-up best & fairest
.Reserve grade Best & Fairest was taken out comfortably by 47 year old Sebastian Palma who indicated that his motivation was to play in a Grand Final with his son. This will occur this year when Yeppoon take the field. Glenmore's Shane Turner was runner up while BITS full forward Shaun `Festa: Johnson won the leading goal kicker with 55.
Sponsored by Wizard Home Loans, AFL Capricornia for the first time received nominations from clubs to recognise those worthy volunteers. Recipients of these were Brian Travers - Gladstone, Tina Ryan - Panthers, Lynne Jolley - Yeppoon, Barry Morrison - Brothers and Graham Orr - Glenmore. Graham also received a special recognition of service to AFL Capricornia and was nominated by the League to the AFLQ for the regional volunteer of the year.
Minor premiership shields were also presented with the BITS club winning both A and Reserve Grade. The reserve grade shield being won by the club now for the past 11 years.
Last Modified on 02/02/2009 13:19