By Phil Skeggs
Ivanhoe’s finest were acknowledged in style at the club’s presentation night before a full house in the clubrooms on Thursday (September 22).
MCs Peter Rawley and Ross Toogood had the 150-plus crowd at fever pitch as they counted out votes from the final few rounds for each of our four teams.
With our cherished Men’s seniors and Thirds premiership cups prominently displayed beneath the big screen, coaches praised their champions and teammates roared approval.
The Hec Rutherford Medal for best senior men’s player went to Connor O’Brien, capping off an outstanding season on the wing after finishing third last year and second in 2019.
Senior men’s coach Ash Close was acknowledged with the Best Finals Player award for his brilliance in front of goals, top-scoring with five goals in the Division 2 grand final and eight in the semi-final.
The Ida Marcon Medal for best women’s player went to Rhiannon Campbell, who was also the Ivies leading goalkicker.
The Colin McDonald Medal for best men’s reserves player was awarded to bustling onballer Michael Walsh, who also scored 15 goals. The Thirds B&F was won by gutsy onballer Liam Ward.
Two of our most enthusiastic players who regularly helped with other off-field duties – Jim Leahy and Aimee Trew – were special award recipients.
Seventeen players who achieved significant games milestones were also presented with medallions.
Two players who finished on top in competition goalkicking – Billy Drake (Men’s Div 2) and Ben Cococcia (Thirds, Div 4) were presented with medallions at the VAFA awards night on Wednesday (September 21), along with Wayne Schultzwho won the Div 2 B&F for the second year in a row.
A hearty congratulations to all award recipients. We look forward to seeing everyone back at ’Hoe Park in the new year.
Award recipients:
Senior Men’s: B&F Connor O’Brien (97 votes), 2nd Michael Doyle (86 votes), 3rd Danny Jones (76 votes). Leading goalkicker Billy Drake (59 goals – 61 including finals), Best finals player Ash Close, Coaches award Nick Godfrey.
Ivies: B&F Rhiannon Campbell (105 votes), 2nd Emilia Bisogni (95 votes), 3rd Molly Uwland (87 votes). Leading goalkicker Rhiannon Campbell (4 goals), Coaches award Abbey Marcuccio.
Men’s Reserves: B&F Michael Walsh (93 votes), 2nd Sam Franklyn (61 votes), 3rd James Pititto (51 votes). Leading goalkicker Karl Kaldawi (26 goals), Best finals player Sam Franklyn, Coaches award Jack Delmo.
Thirds: B&F Liam Ward (98 votes), 2nd Ben Wiggins (78 votes), 3rd Flynn Bergman (59 votes). Leading goalkicker Ben Cococcia (52 goals – 63 including finals), Best finals player Ben Wiggins, Coaches award Jacob Vidajic.
John Miles award (best clubman) Jim Leahy
Tim Robinson award (Inter club liaison) Aimee Trew
Ivanhoe Amateur Football Club 