On Sunday AFL Queensland celebrated the achievements of players, coaches, volunteers and administrators from the AFL Capricornia competition when it hosted the annual Senior Awards Presentation event.
More than 120 guests gathered at the Frenchville Sports Club in Rockhampton, with AFL Capricornia Life Members, Frenchville Sports Club Board Members and representatives from all Clubs in attendance. The crowd was entertained by former Brisbane Bears/Lions great Richard Champion, who joined MC Wayne Clifford in a Q&A, as well as presenting winners with their awards.
Speaking at the event, AFL Queensland Club and Competition Manager for Capricornia, Brad Matheson, was thrilled with the result of the day.
“It’s great to see the progression of our game in the region and days like this just show how far the presentation of our game, on and off the field, has come,” Matheson said.
“With such a supportive major partner in the Frenchville Sports Club and having the use of their outstanding facility for our event, further enhanced the professional experience for everyone in attendance.
“It is just as pleasing to see the support of all the local Clubs attending events like this in our region.
“We have seen an impressive 8% increase in participation across the region this year, which would not have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of our local Clubs.”
The Reserve Grade Best & Fairest award was the first count of the day. Eventual winner, Joel Robinson, from the Brothers Australian Football Club had the Graham Orr Medal locked away with one round to spare, finishing three votes clear of Runner Up Jake Meyer from Yeppoon. Robinson’s win secured him back to back medals after winning the same award in 2018.
All focus then turned to the Senior Women and the Maree Lambart Medal. Brothers Australian Football Club were again top of the leader board for the majority of the count with Chelsea Carroll maintaining poll position from Rounds 5 through to 13, only to be overtaken by 2017 medalist Amy Mill from the Rockhampton Panthers in the second last game of the year. It took a Best On Ground three votes in the final game of the year for Carroll to take out the 2019 Maree Lambart Medal by just one vote, going one better than her 2018 Runners Up award.
The final count of the day, The Bernie Gottke Medal, saw a tight battle in the Senior Men’s competition. After a dominant year on the field the Yeppoon Swans had a firm grip on top of the leader board holding three of the top four spots, albeit Rockhampton Panthers, Travis Young, was well poised to spoil the Swans party. With one round remaining only two votes separated the top four players. It took another best on ground performance in the final game of the year to see the Swans’ centurion goal kicker, Alex Chapman, leapfrog everyone and jump from fourth position into top spot. His final round effort saw him overtake team mates Matt Wallin and Tom Cossens who were both tied just one vote behind.
“To have two vote counts decided in the final round makes days like today even more exciting,” Matheson reflected on the days vote count.
“It is a great reflection on the calibre of some of the players within our competition.
“To have our Life Members here today to present the respective medals named in their honour makes these moments even more special.”
2019 AFL Capricornia Senior Award Winners
Minor Premiers
Senior Men: Yeppoon Swans
Senior Women: Rockhampton Panthers
Reserve Grade Men: Yeppoon Swans
Leading Goal Kickers
Senior Men: Alex Chapman, Yeppoon Swans (112)
Senior Women: Taylah Pringle, Rockhampton Panthers (46)
Reserve Grade Men: Jake Meyer, Yeppoon Swans (62)
Senior Field Umpire Of The Year
Steve Maxwell
Graham Orr Medal (Reserve Grade Men’s Best & Fairest)
Winner: Joel Robinson, Brothers AFC (22 Votes)
Runner Up: Jake Meyer, Yeppoon AFC (19 Votes)
Maree Lambart Medal (Senior Women’s Best & Fairest)
Winner: Chelsea Carroll, Brothers AFC (22 Votes)
Runner Up: Amy Mill, Panthers AFC (21 Votes)
Bernie Gottke Medal (Senior Men’s Best & Fairest)
Winner: Alex Chapman, Yeppoon Swans (16 Votes)
Runner Up : Matt Wallin, Yeppoon Swans and Tom Cossens, Yeppoon Swans (15 Votes)
