On Saturday night the Etobicoke Kangaroos A.F.C held their 7th annual Best & Fairest awards night at the Cool Beer Brewery function room in front of 55 players and spouses. This event was an emotional charged night following the disappointing loss in OAFL Grand Final 2 weeks prior.
There was 13 awards up for grabs but the big one for a player is the winner of the club Best & fairest award. Each week of the 14 OAFL rounds 3 sets of 5,4,3,2,1 votes are recorded and locked away in an envelope only to be opened on the night in front of all, where they are logged and counted.
In the end after missing the first 4 games of the season it was Sam Bates who was first past the post on 88 votes and a deserving club Best & fairest winner. Runner Up B & F was Justin Harris on 73 votes. In 3rd spot was Travis McKenzie on 68, Luke Lombardini with 66 was 4th while club Captian Adam Paterson lead the Canadians with 51 votes.
It was great count with Justin Harris leading the way for the first 12 rounds until Sam Bates leveled the count on 73 in round 13 with 1 round to play. A best on ground performance by Sam in the last game of the season saw him take the 15 votes to win while Justin Harris was unavailable that day. Coming into the side from his club Nunawading in Australia everyone was unsure what he was capable off but after 2 games all that know football could tell that his attacking flair and running football from the half back line was somenthing special.
From all at the club congratulations Sam Bates Etobicoke Kangaroos 2009 Best and Fairest.
B & F votes on the night: Sam Bates 88, Justin Harris 73, Travis McKenzie 68, Luke Lombardini 66,
Adam Paterson 51, Christian Harbour 29, Chet Long 27, Logan Chambers 27, Adam Jacobs 22,
Manny Matata 18, Jeff Wingrove 17, Murray Lovett 16, Mike Langner 16, Justin Rigney 16, Jeff Reid 13, Chris Miall 13, Andrew Ford 12, Dave Tumber 12, Kyle Bridson 11, Colin Mark 10, Phil Russo 8,
Alex McDonald 7, Dennis Lauristen 2, Riyad Karacic 1, Jake Vella 1, Jason Mulcock 1.
To cap of a great night for Sam Bates he also won the award for Best in Finals with the most votes from the 2 finals games.
All the winners from 7th Etobicoke Kangaroos A.F.C awards night were as follows:
Club Best & Fairest: Sam Bates
Runeer Up Club B & F: Justin Harris
Best In FInals: Sam Bates
Australian Players Player: Travis McKenzie
Canadian Players Player: Adam Paterson
Best Clubman: Chet Long
Best 1st Year Player: Jeff Wingrove
Best Utility: Jeff Reid
Most Consistent: Adam Paterson
Most Determined: Logan Chambers
Most Improved: Colin Mark
Coaches Award: Adam Jacobs
Leading Goalkicker: Travis McKenzie (48)
50 Club Games: Adam Jacobs, Manny Matata, Chet Long, Justin Rigney, Murray Lovett.
Team Canada Players: Adam Jacobs, Manny Matata, Chet Long, Murray Lovett.
All Australian Team: Travis McKenzie, Emile Studham, Luke Lombardini, Sam Bates,
Justin Rigney, Justin Harris.
Last Modified on 27/01/2010 10:18