Liam O’Driscoll has claimed his first Bob Cave Medal, winning the 2023 Rovers Best & Fairest ahead of Christian Carnovale. Three new Life Members were also announced at Friday’s Presentation Night.
It was a great night to conclude the 2023 season, with 140 in attendance and everyone looking magnificent at Sandy by the Bay!
It was a night of surprises, three new life members for the first time – Gavin Sharp, Andrew McGregor and Anthony Quon. All have given great service to the Rovers over many years and are true Rovers people. It was surprising for a current coach, on his last official function, to achieve that award but when Quonny’s record was read out, it was a no-brainer. His crowning achievement was no doubt his VAFA Coach of the Year award in 2008 and since then has continued his record of great achievement and service to the Club. All great clubmen who thoroughly deserved their Life Membership awards.
The Best & Fairest counts were also full of surprises. In the Senior Women’s, Jas Andros and Poppy Ward had great years and were well deserved joint-winners. In the Reserves and Under 19s, there were runaway winners, with Kai Carrigan streeting the field in the U19s, while Will Cowie had a substantial lead over his team mates in the Ressies. The seniors B&F was a nail biter. Votes were read for the final three rounds and it appeared that Liam O’Driscoll was safely home with one round to go – 11 votes clear of four-time B&F winner and skipper Christian Carnovale. When Liam only picked up one vote in the last round, the tension mounted. “10 votes C Carnovale” was Quonny’s announcement and then … Liam broke Christian’s stranglehold over the B&F by 2 votes! A couple of very heartfelt acceptance speeches by both Liam and Christian where it was apparent that their close relationship had spurred them both on to sensational seasons in 2023. Their dominance was clearly shown in the voting. See the final leaderboard below.
President (and MC on the evening) Gary Nash received the Best Club Person Award. A great piece of subterfuge by Freddie when Nashy had been given another person as winner of the Award! Too many roles to mention – the club wouldn’t be where it is without his commitment. Let’s share the load more in 2024!
2023 Award Winners
Senior Men
Best & Fairest: Liam O’Driscoll (Bob Cave Medal)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Christian Carnovale
Most Loyal: Harrison McIntyre
Most Resilient: Josh McPherson
Most Relentless: James Prosser
Senior Women
Best & Fairest: Poppy Ward & Jasmina Andros (Sue Anderson Medal)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Bree-Anna Kavanagh & Hayley Gould
Rover of the Year: Hayley Gould
Best 1st Year Player: Holly Lance (Jodie Combe Perpetual Trophy Award)
Reserves
Best & Fairest: William Cowie (Dom Devola Medal)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Joel Bowditch
3rd Placed Best & Fairest: Jacob Beames
Most Consistent: Jarrod Dartnell
Most Improved: Finbar Concaig
Under 19
Best & Fairest: Kai Carrigan (McGregor Medal)
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Josh Hudghton
3rd Placed Best & Fairest: Luis Coughlin
Most Determined: Daniel Field
Best Team Player: Peter Somogyi (Mark Johannsen Memorial Trophy)
Best Finals Player: Luis Coughlin
Senior Men’s Thirds
Best & Fairest: Jack Campion
Runner Up Best & Fairest: Matt Dixon
Most Consistent: Darcy Merlo
Most Determined: Archie Steedman
Best Team Player: Luke Morcom
Club Awards
Best Clubman: Gary Nash
Life Membership: Gavin Sharp, Andrew McGregor, Anthony Quon
2023 Senior B&F Votes
1 O’DRISCOLL, Liam 143
2 CARNOVALE, Christian 141
3 McINTRYE, Harrison 52
4 PERKINS, Chris 47
5 McPHERSON, Josh 40
6 PROSSER, James 39
7 MELNJAK, Dillon 24
8 ROBERTS, Oscar 23
9 Van Der STRAATEN, Max 21
10 KEYS, James 18
