NORTH Albany defender Graham Ross has won the 2009 Henry Kleeman Medal for the fairest and best player in the Great Southern Football League.
Ross polled 20 votes to be a runaway winner from Richard Cronin of Royals (14) with Bulls playmaker Sam Lehman third on 13.
Last year’s winner James McRae shot out to an early lead and polled 11 votes in the first eight rounds and looked a likely winner until Ross made his move.
He had an outstanding mid-season and polled 14 votes in the next eight rounds to be well in front heading into the last series of games.
Despite not polling in the last four rounds, Ross had done enough to secure the award as the other challengers failed to make an impact in the closing stages.
Ross, who originally hails from Jerramungup, joins his captain Brett Hall and veteran Jonno Woods (now at Denmark) as North Albany players to win the award.
During his acceptance speech Ross seemed stunned that he had been awarded the highest individual honour in the GSFL.
“I have no idea what to say because I completely didn’t expect this,” he told the full house that had gathered at Motel Le Grande.
North Albany coach Brad Bootsma paid tribute to his key defender.
“Graham has been our most consistent player this year and thoroughly deserves the accolades,” Bootsma said.
“He is a major key to our side and he also has a very good football brain which helps all the backline.”
North Albany players dominated the Charlie Punch Medal for the Reserves fairest and best, filling the top five positions.
Youngster Kael Sumich won the award with 12 votes to finish just ahead of team-mates Derek Loo, Brodie Sumich and Dylan Williams.
Darcy Reader of Royals polled 25 votes to win the Colts’ Rod Gillies Medal ahead of Kangas stars Jake Byrne (19) and Marley Williams (18).
Bulls teenager Ben Saunders won the Sean Plaisted Medal for the GSFL Leading Goalkicker, bagging 41 goals, while North Albany forward Boyden Coyne kicked 27 goals to lead the Reserves tally.
Royals’ Daniel Parker had an outstanding season and kicked 54 goals to win the Colts award.
Umpires advisor Terry Eaton again made a plea for more people to join the umpiring ranks before presenting young boundary umpire Hamish Bigwood with the Umpire of the Year award.
There was a complete wrap of the Landmark Colts Carnival with the GSFL Colts winning their division.
Royals midfielder Dylan Morgan was awarded the Great Southern’s fairest and best but surprisingly was not named amongst five players picked in the Landmark All-Stars.
Jeremy McGovern, Tyler Stone, Daryl Burke, Warwick Proudlove and Beau LeFort were all named, with LeFort honoured by selectors as fairest and best for the Landmark tournament.
Cleve Humphries won the award for Great Southern’s fairest and best at the carnival, with Bulls ruckman Michael Wright runner-up.
League coach Darrell Panizza took the opportunity to fire another shot at some players who didn’t make themselves available for the Landmark carnival.
“It is very sad how hard we have to try to get players to Perth,” Panizza said.
“The players who went couldn’t have given us any more, but we need all of your support and for all of you to be proud of this League.”
Panizza encouraged everyone in the room to get involved so the GSFL could again become a powerhouse.
“Instead of talking about things , get off your backside and do something for the league,” he said.
“Let’s all make sure we turn this around and be successful again.”
- Daniel Wiseman.
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