By David Nagel
Beaconsfield forward Troy McDermott and Cranbourne’s Troy Tharle are the most notable first-time selections in the South East Football Netball League Team of the Year – announced at the league presentation dinner on Monday.
McDermott – who has been a super-consistent performer since 2011 – makes his Team of the Year debut, after his best year in front of the big sticks yielded 54 goals. His consistency stacks up alongside some of the best forwards in the competition, joining Cranbourne’s Marc Holt, Narre Warren pair Kerem Baskaya and Nick Scanlon, and Officer’s Matty Clarke as the only players to have surpassed 200 goals over the last seven years in SEFNL.
Tharle has also had a terrific season, filling the massive shoes left by the injured Holt in the key position post at Cranbourne.
McDermott and Tharle are two of 12 first-time selections in the side, joining Dillan Bass, Jake Bowd, Brody Connelly, Andrew Dean, Nick Lang, Luke McKenna, Aisakie O’hAilpin, Sam Raru, Bryce Rutherford and coach Stewart Kemperman.
Holt and Narre Warren champion Michael Collins – who have been selected alongside each other for the last 10 years – miss for the first time since 2006.
Injuries curtailed Holt’s season while Collins has found his best form in September – just a little too late for team honours.
Scanlon and Cranbourne’s Mat Fletcher become six-time selections with Brandon Osborne, Josh Tonna and Scott Meyer earning their fifth tick of approval. Osborne and Meyer are the only players to have been selected for a fifth consecutive year with Tonna making it five of the last six.
Berwick skipper Madi Andrews was named captain of the team after leading the Wickers to an unbeaten season and this week’s grand final against Narre Warren. Osborne has been selected as his deputy.
A total of 163 players have now earned Team of the Year honours in the last 12 years.
The 2017 squad is as follows:
BACKS
Dillan Bass (Cranbourne)
Our team begins with one of the breakout players of the season. Turned 23 in June and is one of the classiest defenders going around. Tough one on one and can break a game open with his elite kicking skills.
Brandon Osborne (Cranbourne – Vice Captain)
Our full back is one of only two players to have earned selection for a fifth consecutive year. His mental and physical strength are undeniable and his closing speed makes him the best pure defender in the league.
Luke McKenna (Tooradin-Dalmore)
The third man in the last line of defence made an instant impact at his club, earning best on ground honours in Round 1 and building that into a superbly consistent season. Took on all the big jobs at Tooradin this year.
HALF BACKS
Jake Bowd (Beaconsfield)
We had a small glimpse of this bloke in 2014-15, but it’s over the last two years that he has emerged as a genuine star of the game. A key player in his club’s transformation in game style, the dashing left footer just edges out his team-mate Corey Walker.
Michael Riseley (Berwick)
Our centre half back was almost pencilled in first this year. A brilliant reader of the game, a great intercept mark and very creative with ball in hand. He was adjudged best on ground for SEFNL against Hampden this year.
Ash Smith (Berwick)
Spent more time through the midfield than last year but has still given his side supreme drive off half back. The former West Coast Eagle kicked nine goals during the home-and-away season … including some massive bombs from outside 50.
CENTRES
Josh Tonna (Narre Warren)
Talk about class – it’s dripping off this gifted left-footer who has earned selection for a fifth time in the last six years. Sells more candy than ‘Willy Wonka’ in his prime and very rarely misses a target. Had an amazing finish to the season.
Madi Andrews (Berwick – Captain)
What a player, what a leader. He breaks down the opposition with a relentless work ethic that simply can’t be matched over four quarters. Tough as nails and recently described by his coach as “one of the greatest players in his club’s history”. Who are we to argue – this year’s captain is Madi Andrews!
Nick Battle (Doveton)
Out second wingman rounds out a trio of left footers on the centre line. Did some amazing things on the footy field this year; he knows how to get it and knows how to break opposition hearts when he does. An absolute excitement machine.
HALF FORWARDS
Troy McDermott (Beaconsfield)
Our next two members are probably the two most deserving first-timers in recent memory. This bloke played 15 games this year and kicked multiple goals on 12 occasions. He has now kicked 215 goals over the last seven years … but this was clearly his most productive.
Troy Tharle (Cranbourne)
With Marc Holt playing just five games this season, Cranbourne needed someone to fill his shoes as a key-marking option up forward. This 200-game veteran filled the void perfectly, his strong hands on the lead a standout. Also played a key role as a second ruckman.
Nick Lang (Tooradin-Dalmore)
Made the move from Casey last year and has not missed a game in his two seasons at his new club. A gifted midfielder – a good size too – who kicked 29 goals mixing his time up forward. A thoroughly deserving first timer.
FORWARDS
Scott Meyer (Beaconsfield)
Probably hasn’t hit the highs of his own lofty standards from years gone by, but this bloke’s standard is still well and truly good enough to make the team. Started forward on a few occasions this year and added goal-kicking and captaincy to an already incredible arsenal.
Nick Scanlon (Narre Warren)
The pre-eminent forward in the competition who combined a strong lead, strong hands, and a kick as a strong as a mule to kick 61 goals during the home-and-away season. After two years away, it’s welcome back to one of the great players of the last decade.
Ryan Jones (Cranbourne)
Our next goal sneak seems to have been around forever, but is still only 26 and may be entering his prime. Has taken his football a lot more seriously this year, and the results have shown. Is back in the Team of the Year for the first time since 2014.
RUCKS
Russell Gabriel (Doveton)
Too powerful and too strong for any ruckman in the competition, this powerhouse performer never seems to get beaten at the stoppages. Not as athletic as some of his peers, but more than makes up for that with his brute strength. Clearly the number-one ruckman in 2017.
Bryce Rutherford (Berwick)
Our first on-baller looks like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but don’t be fooled – he is as tough and as hard as they come through the midfield. Had a fantastic return to his club after a stint with the Casey Scorpions, and is still in his early 20s. A gun.
Mat Fletcher (Cranbourne)
This gifted midfielder has had another fantastic season and, just like Scotty Meyer, gets judged by the very high standards he has set himself in recent seasons. An absolute gun who moves into rarefied air with his sixth Team of the Year selection.
INTERCHANGE
Sam Raru (Doveton)
This inside midfielder very rarely gets an easy possession with most of his best work done in extremely heavy traffic. Was named as one of Doveton’s best players 10 times this year.
Trent Cody (Narre Warren)
A bit like Rutherford – his toughness at the contest is camouflaged by some exquisite skills once he does get his hands on the ball. Two years in the competition, two years in the Team of the Year.
Aisakie O’hAilpin (Tooradin-Dalmore)
Gabriel has been the clear number-one ruckman this year, but rates the first-year Tooradin giant as his toughest opponent this season. A huge challenge for any opponent, with his enormous height concealing an ability to attack the ball hard at ground level. Has quite literally made the Seagulls stand tall this season.
Luke Sheppard (Berwick)
Has matured into a fantastic footballer, still exploding away from packs with the greenness of a two-year-old colt, but now combining it with a better understanding of what’s going on around him. A home-grown product and a real key to Berwick’s success over the last three years.
Brody Connelly (Berwick)
Injury curtailed the latter part of this full-forward’s season, making it easy to forget what an impact he had during the middle part of the year. But we haven’t forgotten. He kicked more goals than any other player in the best team in the competition and his high-flying was a standout in the league.
Andrew Dean (Tooradin-Dalmore)
Rated extremely highly by his peers, this fast-moving and high-leaping forward can jump over tall buildings if he wants to – but he would much rather apply pressure in the front half. Kicked 41 goals for the season, but that stat only tells half the story of his importance to his team.
COACH
Stewart Kemperman (Berwick)
Our coach of this team readily concedes that a lot of the work had been done prior to him taking on his first senior coaching role this season. But the bottom line is he has taken his side to new heights, undefeated heights, and done it with a new-look forward line. He lost five players who kicked 186 goals in 2016, and has moulded a more even set up. Just seven players kicked double-figure goals tallies last year – the number is 11 this year – that’s great coaching. He’s just one step away from an amazing first year of coaching.
TEAM OF THE YEAR – THROUGH THE YEARS
YEAR CAPTAIN COACH
2005 Michael Holland Jason Chapple
2006 Michael Holland Michael Holland
2007 Brett Evans Austinn Jones
2008 Ricky Clark Dan O’Loughlin
2009 Robbie Taylor Doug Koop
2010 Beau Miller Doug Koop
2011 Michael Collins Doug Koop
2012 Marc Holt Tom Hallinan
2013 Michael Collins Chris Toner
2014 Matt Wade Chris Toner
2015 Madi Andrews Simon Goosey
2016 Marc Holt Heath Black
2017 Madi Andrews Stewart Kemperman
