Page 44 - AFL Queensland 2014 in Review

on-ground effort in his thirteen years in the AFL, edging him past Robert Harvey for the record.
And after a season-ending shoulder injury end his season seven games early, he stood on 209 career votes. It leaves him trailing just Gary Dempsey (246 but 218.5 adjusted to one umpire) and Harvey (215) in the all-time rankings. He went past Chris Judd (203) and Leigh Matthews (202) last night.
For the second year in a row Ablett, Dion Prestia (13) and Harley Bennell (6) finished as the GC SUNS’ leading vote-getters.
DAVID SWALLOW CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
David Swallow become the first player outside
of Gary Ablett to be named Club Champion, snapping the skipper’s three-year stranglehold on the award.
The West Australian edged out worthy runner-up place-getters Tom Lynch & Dion Prestia in a nail biting three-way finish to claim his first Best & Fairest award.
A consistent performer in Gold Coast’s engine room, Swallow averaged 23 disposals and five clearances in playing every game.
Fullback Steven May won the Players’ Player, as voted by the players themselves, and also took out the Victor Sports Most Improved.
Charlie Dixon’s positive work in Gold Coast’s northern suburbs saw the spearhead claim the valued Community Award, while Michael Rischitelli was judged the HOSTPLUS Most Professional Player.
Leigh Osborne was named GC SUNS NEAFL Player of the Year.
AFL PA 22UNDER22
Six Gold Coast SUNS players stacked the 2014 AFL Players’ 22Under22 team.
Harley Bennell, Kade Kolodjashnij, Steven May, Trent McKenzie, Dion Prestia & David Swallow were all named in the honourary side.
Tom Lynch and Jaeger O’Meara were also named in the 40-man 22Under22 squad, however missed the final cut.
It’s the second time McKenzie and Prestia have been named in the team.
In 2013, they joined teammates Tom Nicholls, O’Meara & Rory Thompson in the inaugural 22Under22 team.
The selection on Bennell, Kolodjashnij, May and Swallow means the SUNS have had nine players nominated for the team in the last two seasons, five more players than any other club.
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