Page 79 - AFL Queensland 2014 in Review
P. 79
The Grand Final at Graham Road was one for the ages, with a goal on the siren by diminutive Aspley midfielder Daniel Smith delivering the NEAFL Premiership to the John Blair coached Hornets over the Sydney Swans by just 2 points. Swans midfielder, Tom Mitchell, was awarded the Andrew Ireland Medal as best afield.
The competition took on a new voting system for its MVP award for the League’s best and fairest player. For the first time the coaches joined umpires voting in a 5 through 1 system, making it possible for a player to score ten votes for an outstanding performance in any week. Aspley’s
Matt Payne added the 2014 NEAFL MVP (25 votes clear of Ainslie’s Aaron Vandenberg) to his two Grogan Medals won in 2006 and 2011. Redland pair Cleve Hughes (leading goal kicker) and Paul Hunter (Rising Star) were the other major award winners.
Club Best & Fairest winners were Cam Ilett (NT Thunder), Wayde Mills (Southport), Paul Hunter (Redland), and Payne (Aspley).
Craig Starcevich
NEAFL Operations Manager – QLD/NT
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