Superstars celebrated as league awards are announced

Following an incredibly successful on-field 2022 season, we now move to the annual presentations of the league awards. Like seasons before, these were presented online on Friday September 16.

Award winners for all categories are listed below.

Best & Fairest

• Under-12s – Connor Hobby (Bathurst Giants), R-up – Joseah Driscoll (Bathurst Bushrangers)
• Under-14s – Riley Goodsell (Bathurst Giants), R-up – Cameron Healey (Dubbo Junior AFL)
• Youth Girls – Lucy Driscoll (Bathurst Bushrangers), R-up – Charli Hunter (Orange Tigers)
• Under-17s – James Gibson (Orange Tigers), R-up – Fergus Mann (Bathurst Giants)
• Men’s Tier 2 – Brayden Harmer-Clark (Cowra Blues), R-up – Mitchell Stubberfield (Parkes Panthers)
• Women’s – Emily Warner (Dubbo Demons), R-up – Katie Kennedy (Bathurst Giants)
• Men’s Tier 1 – Cooper Brien (Bathurst Giants), R-up – Nathan Smith (Bathurst Bushrangers)

As the league celebrates the achievements of many, it is further proof as to how strong the top echelon of talent in our league is. Cooper Brien capped off an outstanding first full season of senior footy, becoming one of the youngest players to win the league Best & Fairest. The league B&F was a further accolade after winning his club’s award and the Grand Final Best on Ground. Bathurst Bushrangers’ Nathan Smith, albeit after missing several matches, finished second in his first season in the competition. Bevan Charlton-White of Dubbo Demons rounded out the top three.

Dubbo’s Emily Warner cemented herself as one of the competition’s greatest players, capping off a remarkable 2022 with her third consecutive Women’s Best & Fairest award. In doing so, Warner became the first person to win three league Best & Fairest awards in the same grade. Even more remarkable was the way Warner won the 2022 award. She finished with a competition record 37 votes, and more than doubling her nearest rival. That rival was Bathurst Giants Katie Kennedy. The premiership winning captain had a stellar season, however had too much internal competition for the 3-votes ultimately stopping her charge. Bushrangers’ Amelia Wright off-the-back of two interrupted seasons, completed her finest year in the competition to finish third.

READ: A tale of derbies, rivalries and unbeaten seasons

Cowra continued their stranglehold on the Tier 2 Best & Fairest, with Brayden Harmer-Clark taking out the 2022 edition. Following from 2020 winner James McCormack, and 2021’s Frank Bright, the Blues have dominated the grade. Harmer-Clark used an excellent Rounds 3-9 to establish a strong lead over his competition, and held on from 2021 co-winner Mitchell Stubberfield, as well as a three-way tie for third that included Harmer-Clark’s teammate Blair Holgate.

As anticipated, the junior Best & Fairest awards all went the way of current and graduated Development Squad participants. Connor Hobby excelled in 2022, collecting a Western PSSA AFL team berth and finishing the season as Under-12s Best & Fairest. He had strong competition from Development Squad teammates, and Western and Polding representatives Joseah Driscoll and Jack Sara.

Under-14s was won handily by one of the most improved footballers in the competition, Riley Goodsell. Goodsell dominated 2022 for the grand finalist Giants, leading from the front and collecting a lot of footy in midfield. Alongside teammates Flynn Wolfe and Cooper Stephen (equal third), the Giants were well represented at the top of the table. Dubbo Junior AFL rising star Cameron Healey ran second, whilst there was a four way tie for third.

READ: Winner plays on, Week 1 finals recap

Like the 12s and 14s before them, the Youth Girls was topped by another Development Squad representative, Lucy Driscoll. Driscoll made it three from three for Bathurst AFL, and back-to-back Bushrangers winners of the Youth Girls award following Jade Leven in 2021. Driscoll’s excellent year captaining the Bushrangers’ side culminated in selection for the final trials for the Giants 15s squad and a premiership medal after winning the Grand Final.

Several years of consistent improvement has led to James Gibson being awarded the Under-17s Best & Fairest. James joins sister Elizabeth (2020) as family winners of their respective top-junior-age gong, an outstanding season for the young Tiger which ended in a Grand Final loss to his runner up Fergus Mann’s Giants. Mann’s first year back in the competition following a stint in Canberra was one to remember, as he led the side to a premiership, and polled strongly through the midfield.

Coach of the Year:

• Junior Coach of the Year – Bradley Broes (Bathurst Giants)
• Senior Coach of the Year – Peter Martinoli (Dubbo Demons)

Coaches of the Year were nominated by club and league representatives during the National Volunteer of the Year award process. Whilst on field success is important, there is much more to being a successful coach than just wins. Congratulations Peter Martinoli, Dubbo Demons Women’s Coach, and Brad Broes Bathurst Giants Under-17s coach on being awarded the Senior and Junior Coach of the Year awards respectfully. Their nomination entries are below:

Brad has been involved with the Under-17s team for the last 5 years and has shown unwavering commitment to the young men in this team, culminating in a premiership win this season.

Brad’s influence is more than a win/loss ratio. It is the ability to recruit, retain and build a team each year. The commitment and camaraderie that is built within the team is exceptional, through team dinners, catch-ups and constant check-ins. The number of previous U17s currently playing in Reserve Grade team with Brad is a testament to the relationship that he builds with his playing group.

This is a difficult age group to manage, however, the U17s in 2022 have the greatest attendance at training, the biggest improvement on field and the largest number of new top age players in any of the junior grades at the GIANTS.

READ: 707 days later, silverware is up for grabs

Peter has fostered a positive culture in the Demons Women’s team over the past two seasons. An incredibly well-respected member of the Dubbo AFL Community, Peter’s coaching philosophy saw him rewarded with the head coach position of the league’s representative Women’s team albeit a side which was unable to take the field.

Peter has developed a side which has improved week in week out, is structured, and focused on a common goal. He has created a team that feedback from opposition teams indicate are a joy to play against, and whilst winning the competition was a goal, it is not at the detriment of any participant’s experience.

Peter has been instrumental in supporting the transition of Dubbo’s junior players into the senior side, attending junior training and matches with members of his leadership group knowing that building these relationships contribute to the long-term sustainability of the club.

Umpire of the Year:

• Junior Umpire of the Year – Callum Bates (Dubbo Junior AFL)
• Senior Umpire of the Year – Marcus Showell (Orange Tigers)

Our Umpires of the Year provided an opportunity to recognise the improvement and professionalism of two of the competition’s officials. Senior Umpire of the Year, Marcus Showell held off stiff company from some of the competition’s field umpires to win. Showell plies his trade as a goal umpire, officiating 2-3 senior matches every week for the Orange Tigers including all three senior Grand Finals. His professionalism and attention to detail is second to none, and he has had an outstanding season between the sticks.

Junior Umpire of the Year Callum Bates of Dubbo Junior AFL is an improving field umpire, predominately umpiring Under-12s and Youth Girls matches. Bates has maximised the opportunity to learn and improve this year, attending education sessions, and showing a willingness to improve. Now into his third season officiating, we are thrilled to acknowledge Callum.

Leading Goalkicker:

• Tier 2 Men’s – Nathan Worth (Cowra Blues)
• Women’s – Olivia Johnston (Bathurst Giants)
• Tier 1 Men’s – Nathan Smith (Bathurst Bushrangers)

Auskick Coordinator of the Year

• Rachel Fairman (Dubbo Junior AFL)

Rachel has continued to build a phenomenal Auskick centre in Dubbo and the relationship that Rachel builds with her players and families is second to none.

Rachel is organised, respectful and builds confidence in her coaches. Over the past two seasons, Rachel has built a core group of coaches made of current junior players in addition to parents. This structure provides great leadership opportunities for the developing juniors.

Thank you to everyone who has run Auskick centres and helped out in 2022. We hope your participants had a fantastic Auskick experience and return next season.

AFL Central West Hall of Fame Inductee:

• Mark Byrne (Orange Tigers) – 2x League Best & Fairest, 26x Interleague representative, Orange Tigers Life Member, 7x Club Best and Fairest, 4x Premiership Player, 4x Premiership Coach, 200+ games played

Following the inaugural inductions in 2021, the league is excited to induct Orange Tigers life member Mark “Barney” Byrne. Mark has a resume that rivals many past players and coaches in the competition’s 41-year history and is a deserving inductee.

Mark has had a significant contribution to the AFL Central West competition during his tenure with the Orange Tigers. He was a member of the region’s representative sides that won the 1988 Southern Zone Championship and the Country Championships on the SCG.

Mark joins Tony Lewis, Geoff Day, David Redden, Graeme Clements, and Michael Sloan in the league’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will continue inducting one member annually, and encourage the Central West community to nominate suitable candidates. Please send nominations to Casey White, Competition & Development Coordinator – Central West via email at casey.white@afl.com.au.

Congratulations to all the award winners from the 2022 AFL Central West Presentations. We wish everyone a safe and happy off-season and look forward to seeing what 2023 brings.

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