The Hampton Rovers/East Sandringham Under 17s brought the curtain down on their 2016 season with a Brownlow-style Presentation Night at Boss James Reserve recently.
By 7pm on Friday August 25, the Boss looked more like the red carpet area at the Brownlow Medal rather than the austere surrounds of the Wright Scarlett Pavilion.
First-year coach Adam McNeil asked everyone to suit up for the evening and ensure they brought a date along. Amazingly, they complied and the girls used the event to “glam up” and put their AFL competitors into the background. In all, over 100 people attended the evening for what was a sensational 2016 Under 17 Best & Fairest vote count.
A number of those dates must have wondered what in the world they had put themselves in for as Steve Kennedy, MC for the night, started with the words “Votes for Round 1”. There must have been 30 women ask almost simultaneously “How many rounds are there?” Still it all went pretty quickly, the buzz in the room was sensational, the meal was consumed, alcohol was not and by around 9.30pm the award winners were clear. The night was spiced up by coach Adam McNeil, modelling himself on Matthew Richardson, taking the opportunity with the roving mike with mixed success. He had to work hard to get more than the traditional teenage male grunt but some of the boys did show their insight and humour!
A great night enjoyed by all and wonderful to see both the Hampton Rovers and East Sandringham working together for a successful season. The club looks forward to seeing the majority of the boys join the Under 19s in 2017.
The award winners from the night were:
Best and Fairest – Harry Crisp
Runner up – Dillon Melnjak
3rd best and fairest – Tom Marron*
4th best and fairest – Sam Taylor
5th best and fairest – Nic Flocas
Most Improved – Arthur Della Schiava
Coaches award – Tommy Kenny
Most consistent – Dylan Buchhorn
Most determined – Pat Semple
*Tom Marron also won the SMJFL Under 17 division 2 league Best & Fairest, by one vote over four players in equal-second. Great effort!
