Over 450 people packed Manningham Function Centre on Wednesday night for the Eastern Football Leagues biggest evening of the year.
Highlights of the season were played for the crowd and the night had begun, EFL Media Manager Dyson Baker opened the night introducing the nights MC.
Comedian Evan Hocking greeted the audience before handing over the Chairman of the Eastern Football League Graham Halbish who commended the tireless efforts of everyone involved in the EFL in season 2016.
The nights award kicked off with the league recognizing the efforts of the best Under 21’s in the competition – Noble Parks Ben Giobbi and Coldstream’s Darcy Carrigan named this seasons Leader Young Guns.
Presenting the next lot of awards was simple, the All Trophies Goal kicking had clearly already been determined; Carnelley, King, Limbach and Gobbels sounds like a pretty solid forward line, and accordingly were all awarded their plaques detailing their achievements. Our leading Goal shooters were also presented their plaques; Emily Stewart, Kristy Wilson, Tarsha Collette, Stephanie Verhoef, Fiona Waack and Melissa Martinov.
EFL Media Manager Dyson Baker and Radio Eastern Presenter Les Ferguson were on hand to present the Clinton Grybas Media Award. In honour of his passing each year the stand out media performer, as voted by his/her peers is awarded the Clinton Grybas Media Award. This season the award went to Ray Baird who as the elder statesman of the Media Team never shy’s away from any task.
The SEN 1116 Teams of the Year for all four Divisions were named, Ferntreee Gully’s Bill Morrison, Upper FTG Premiership Captain Tim Riseley, Bayswater’s Joel Galvin and Balwyn skipper Rennie Gilchrist were all named captains of their respective divisions.
James Medal DIVISION FOUR Bill Morrison – Ferntree Gully
Edie Medal DIVISION THREE Matthew Mariani – Templestowe
Wright Medal DIVISION TWO Joel Galvin – Bayswater
Chandler Medal DIVISION ONE Cameron Manuel – Rowille
Netball EFL BEST & FAIREST PREMIER DIVISION – 2016 Krista Tomlinson – Eastern Lions DIVISION 1 – 2016 Naomi Linossier – Mitcham DIVISION 2 – 2016 Zoe Cant – Norwood DIVISION 3 – 2016 Samantha Mulraney – Waverley Blues DIVISION 4 – 2016 Grace Dillon – Whitehorse Pioneers DIVISION 5 – 2016 Bridget Kenny (Mulgrave) and Emily Hartill (Heathmont)
DIVISION FOUR – RESERVES BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Jason Wade – Donvale
DIVISION THREE – RESERVES BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Leigh Lawson – Upper Ferntree Gully
DIVISION TWO – RESERVES BEST & FAIREST – 2016 James Munro – Lilydale
DIVISION ONE – RESERVES BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Jeconiah Peni – Balwyn
DIVISION FOUR – EASTLINK UNDER 19’S BEST & FAIREST – 2016 James Rausa – Donvale
DIVISION THREE – EASTLINK UNDER 19’S BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Patrick Bullock – Upper Ferntree Gully
DIVISION TWO – EASTLINK UNDER 19’S BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Samuel Baker – Lilydale
DIVISION ONE – EASTLINK UNDER 19’S BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Joshua Mutsaers – Norwood
BJS VETERANS BEST & FAIREST – 2016 Shaun Lorenzini – Eltham
TROJAN YOUNG GUN- Division 1/2 Ben Giobbi – Noble Park TROJAN YOUNG GUN- Division 3/4 Darcy Carrigan – Coldstream
Club Warehouse – Trainer of the Year Joanne Stevens – Croydon