ADAM Sleight won his fourth club best and fairest and shared the
Basil Cleary Medal with grand final medallist Ash Parsons at Prahran
Assumption's presentation night and vote count on Friday September 23.
Parsons' six goals and best afield brilliance on grand final day enabled
him to share the club best and fairest.
Sleight, who was also club leading goal-kicker with 76 goals from centre
half-forward, and Parsons will also have their names added to the Rupert
Steele Memorial Trophy.
More than 100 players, committee,family and friends, Stonnington Mayor
Cr Melina Sehr and Cr Claude Ullin attended the function at Florian's
Elsternwick.
Coach Leigh Stafford was given a standing ovation for his outstanding contribution. On the night he announced his
resignation.
Stafford said he wanted to devote more time to his financial planning
business which had suffered because of his committment to coaching.
Key defender Jack Matherson won the coaches award for his excellent
season and contribution as a member of the leadership team.
Michael Bremner won the coaches award and Josh Chapman was voted best in
the finals.
Chapman played the second half of the grand final with two broken ribs
but you wouldn't have known it as he continued his fearless attack on
the ball.
``Chappie'' will return to his hometown Portland next year and then
spend a year in Echuca as part of his carpentry apprenticeship.
We can't wait to welcome him back for 2014!.
Best Clubman Award - Len Reed Memorial Award
Trevor Evans
SENIOR AWARDS
Best & Fairest. (Basil Cleary Medal). Adam Sleight and Ash Parsons.
Runner-up Stephen McIntyre.
Most consistent: Jack Matherson
Coaches award: Michael Bremner.
Goal kicking: Adam Sleight (76).
Players player: Adam Sleight.
Best in finals: Josh Chapman.
Basil Cleary Medallists, Ash Parson and Adam Sleight, with Club Legend Basil Cleary. Adam and Ash share the Rupert Steele Memorial Trophy. Jack Matherson, Nick Brooks and Josh Ancrum shared the Club Leadership Awardy
Runner Up Best and Fairest Stephen McIntyre Michael Bremner won the Coaches Award.
Dan James and Jack Matherson accept 100 senior games medallions from Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr.
Paul Donahoo, Ryan Costin and John Dewar received their 50 game medallions from Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr. Senior Coach, Leigh Stafford, with Most Consistent Award winner Jack Matherson.
Best Finals Player Josh Chapman with Coach Leigh Stafford. Adam Sleight accepting his player's player award and the leading goal kicker award with 76 goals.
Assistant Coach and Board Member Will Walford pays tribute to Coach Leigh Stafford and presents him with a team autographed Grand final Football.
Reserves Trophy Winners
B&F: Lachlan Oliver
RU B&F: Raph Delacruz
Most Consistent: John Dewar
Coaches Award: Neville Haynes
Goal Kicking: Rick Ellis - 64
Players Player: Brent Field
Best in Finals: Michael Boylan
Reserves Best and Fairest Lachlan Oliver with Runner-Up Raph DelaCruz.
John Dewar accepting his Most Consistent Player Award and Brent Fields with his Player's Player award.
Coach Robert Oliver with Best Finals Player, Michael Boylan and Leading Goalkicker, Rick Ellis, who kicked 64 goals this year.
Neville Haynes accepting the Coaches Award from the Coach.
Reserves Captain and Board Member, Adam Stewart, pays tribute to Coach Robert Oliver and presents him with a team autographed Grand Final Football.
President Fabio Maya welcoming guests to the Presentation Night. Host, Board Member Squizzy Taylor.
Club General Manager Neil Wallmeyer presnting awards on the night.
Bluebyrds @ the Nest - Ladies Day 2011
A crisp Autumn day set decadently against the Toorak Park backdrop would provide the picturesque view from the Bluebyrds Nest on their day of dedication.
The crowd gathered early in the day in anticipation for festivities ahead, some admittedly overwhelmed by the excitement of the day,
"This is the sort of day you can spend all year waiting for and it never disappoints, I've been giddy with excitement all morning and almost wet my pants twice..." -Neville Haynes, 2nd XVIII Thug/Victorian MMA Champion
But before the hoards of glamours graced the grounds one man cut a solemn figure at the ground. Arriving at 8am, Ben Furness toiled feverishly with a cloth and scrubbing brush to bring the room to all it's splendour. A true Cinderella story that continued to unfold later in the day with a fantastic performance onfield.
One man did threaten to bring the whole day down however when he himself lay limp on the ground clutching his neck. Tears and cries were heard from the sidelines
At the stroke of midday, the doors were thrown open. Penny's extravagant display was on show for all to see. Gift bags adorned the elegant tables that filled the room and the ladies wasted no time in getting into the mix where introductions, chilled glasses and gourmet plates circulated like a five star handball drill. Many thanks to the major sponsor of the Ladies Day – Ornate Salon who are an award winning local salon located at 160 Commercial Road. Their details can be found at www.ornatesalon.com.au
Not long after arrival the ladies were treated to the inner sanctum of the club by our on and off-field leaders with an address from 'Lethal' Leigh Stafford and El Presidento Fabulous Maya. Armed with an insight into each of the players there was then a lucky dip for the ladies to draw out players from main game in the hope of winning prizes on the back of on-field efforts.
By half time the ladies who were lucky/unlucky enough to have drawn Pistol and Slip hadn't seen the bottom of their glass once as the lads continue to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Meanwhile, a defibrillator was required for the unfortunate ladies who had drawn Musster and Chop and thought they were required to drink on a per possession basis.
Next it was time for a touch up on the nails. Now it can't be confirmed as to whether it was hot air from the warm day or whether it was being internally generated from within the room but with both the windows and doors securely fastened, the Bluebyrds nest was definitely beginning to tip the mercury. Add to that addition of some highly potent nail polish and it saw a few of the ladies head downstairs for some fresh air and feeling quite light headed.
The ongoing and parochial support was, as it is always, invaluable to the onfield performance of the lads. At one point in the last quarter however, silence fell over the ground and not a peep was heard from the nest... evidently this was when sweets had been served and were very well received by all reports!
Post match, the girls piled into the Clubrooms with bulging giftbags to enjoy the spoils of Bar Basil. The girls won more than a few glances from visiting team Kew, who kindly hung around to watch the night unfold well passed what would be considered merely Sportsman Courtesy.
The day was extremely well organised by Penny Collicoat who left no stone unturned in assuring that everyone enjoyed their day. Many thanks to Penny and all that attended on the day, no doubt all at the club are eagerly awaiting the next club function and more importantly the next gathering of the Bluebyrd flock!
Regards,
