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JAMES Wall was as proud as a peacock last Friday night after winning his first Casey Scorpions best and fairest. The key defender came out on top of an exciting vote count, taking the lead in the last of the home-and-away games and finishing with 88 votes, six more than runner-up Shane Birss. From the Leader
Saints ruckman Michael Rix, who led at the halfway mark of the season until he was moved to a key-position, came third with 70 votes. Three coaches vote five, four, three, two, one, and and votes were awarded in the two finals. Wall received the Gardner-Clark Medal from Ian Gardner and Simon Clark He said his focus this year was on enjoyment. ``It was different to the past few where I've been on the Saints and Swans rookie lists,'' Wall said.The 21-year-old was in his first year out of the AFL system and rather than find a team out west near where he lives, in Essendon, Wall continued the travelling to Casey. ``I didn't feel the pressure as much,'' Wall said. It was a standout performance by Wall, who reads the play well and regularly peels off to take intercepting marks. He was included in the VFL team of the year.Birss and Rix are both out of contract and waiting for this week's AFL trading period to see what 2009 holds.Birss won the $1000 Leader Newspapers player of the year award.He said the Saints who made the journey to Cranbourne ``don't do it because we have to, but because we enjoy it''.St Kilda's eight-year alignment with Casey has finished and there was a hint a new relationship with Melbourne is immanent.``In the coming years we hope to forge a strong relationship with the Gippsland Power, the Casey Scorpions and the Melbourne Football Club,'' Casey general manager Brian Woodman said while acknowledging the growth of the Power.There was no announcement from coach Greg Hutchison as to his future but he is likely to stay with St Kilda, putting Casey in the market for a new senior coach. Senior awards Most consistent: Alex Silvagni. Trademark (playing group assessment): James Taylor. Goalkicking: Chris Dunne (33.28). Steve Harrison Rising Star (replaces first-year award for U21 and having played less than 10 games): Evan Panozza. Best club person: Rebecca Loring (trainer). Reserves awards Best and fairest: Peter Mercoulia. Trademark: James Terry. Most improved: Scott MacLeod. Captain's award: Ben Waite. More news and Storys from the B&F later in the week. |
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Melbourne FC
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