Best & Fairest – Florian Gursansky
Florian had another excellent year at the Falcons and is a competitive kid who really pushes himself to influence the game.
A footy tragic, across the year he proved yet again to be a key pillar to this team and provided strong determination at every opportunity. Blessed with immense running capacity (speed and endurance) and a strong physical presence, there were times where he absolutely dominated games for the Falcons. With strong hands, an ability to break tackles, long and accurate kicks and pinpoint handballs he is a force to be reckoned with. All these attributes provide him with the versatility to play anywhere – he is a jet!
Runner-Up Best & Fairest – Lucas Stackwood-Smith
Lucas had another outstanding year in the Falcons jumper.
Last year I would see him at training, but as he played in the Red team I didn’t see as many of his games. So this year I have loved having more time with Lucas and have marvelled at what he can do on a footy field.
He has a great ability to push himself, pack marks with confidence and has a penetrating left foot. A number of times our Assistant Coach, Dean Draper, referred to him as being like AFL Legend Royce Hart with his marking ability and left foot.
A key member of the U9s in 2018, Lucas is one of those players you can reliably put anywhere to get a job done and will continue to dominate as the game opens up on the full oval in 2019 - he is a gun!
Third Best & Fairest – Remy Spalding
Remy is a champion and enjoyed another strong campaign in the red, white and blue.
Like his fellow award winners, Remy is a player you can rely on to do his job (and more) in whatever position he plays. He has a competitive hunger that is impossible to contain and results in Remy playing with a high degree of physicality whether the sun was shining or the heavens had opened up.
Remy possesses great footy skills with hand and foot, can mark confidently and always knows how to involve his teammates in the game. A player who is a joy to coach and one to keep an eye on in 2019 – he is a star! |
Coach’s Award – Lily Parker
Lily joined this group for the first time in 2018 and had an immediate impact. From the early games she showed a confidence and commitment to the contest that takes most junior players about half a season to develop.
Cruelly she fractured her thumb just before Round 4 and missed seven games as a result. However, Lily demonstrated her commitment and pride in being part of this group by not missing one of the games while injured. She watched and supported her teammates every week and also made it to almost all training sessions even though she couldn’t participate.
Then when she finally could return to the field she came back extra determined and committed and finished the season off strong.
Lily is a joy to coach and really represented the team values we established for 2018, which made her an obvious selection for the Coach’s award. Keep watching her as she will be a champion of this club for years to come.
Most Improved Player – Finn Ong
Finn is a little dynamo. I marvelled at how well this whole group developed through 2018, which was best exemplified by Finn Ong.
A quiet and respectful boy, once he steps across the line he is 100% committed to the contest. One of the best tacklers in the team he applies great pressure and second / third efforts around the contest.
As the season developed it was also evident that he has a natural awareness and read of the play, which resulted in him taking some great marks and scoring some important goals for the team.
Finn is always willing to listen and take advice, which meant he was a super reliable player for us across the season and he will be an important member of this team in the years to come. Watch out for this kid in 2019 as he is one talented young fella. |
