| CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 3 MSJFL BEST & FAIREST WINNERS! | |
 Pictured from left, Jordan Cotton Under 12 West division, Will Egan-Griffiths Under 11 East division, Jack Kelly Under 13 West division.SOUTH DISTRICT'S TRIO LAND A HAT TRICK This year three of our junior club’s finest were invited to attend the MSJFL’s Best and Fairest Count Night for U11 to U13 teams -Will Egan-Griffith (U11), Jordan Cotton (U12 Red) and Jack Kelly (U13). The field umpires votes, in a 3-2-1 style for each game, are forwarded to the League and a tally kept. Just receiving an invitation is a thrill and an honour and usually indicates that the invited player has come in the top 3-5 in his age group. A great achievement in itself. What made Tuesday very special however, was the large contingent of supporters from our junior club on the night. This resulted in an electric and exciting atmosphere resulting in a tumultuous roar every time a South Melbourne player polled a vote. Indeed, the other spectators in a room of around 180 people must have been thoroughly fed up with the South cheers as the night rolled on. Will E-G was up, and even though some of his team mates were getting the all important ‘three’ votes from him he pulled away from the pack and ended up out in front with the title firmly in his hands. It’s fair to say that all from South cheered their hearts out for a fantastic win to a most deserved player. Next up was Jordan. The South supporters were a little reserved - how could a player whose team only won 3 out 14 games possibly have a chance against players from teams with straight wins? But in true David and Goliath style, Jordan won his division convincingly and all in the room were in awe. Jordan is a true champion with a ‘never say die’ attitude that left his supporters hoarse from cheering their acknowledgement of his tremendous achievement. Finally ‘big Jack’ strolled to take his place. A bit of an old hand at these events, Jack had won his division’s B & F as an U11 player and was pipped at the post last year when he took the runner-up trophy. This year Jack didn’t let the opposition get close, winning with 10 best on ground votes from 13 rounds of football. But the win was made even more special for Jack because of the extraordinary South supporters who stayed through the night so they could cheer him on. His typical quiet smile turned into a beaming grin as the full force of the cheering hit home. In what must be Club history, all three players won their respective division’s League Best and Fairest award. To put this in perspective, each of the boys out voted between 200-260 competitors. But the night wasn’t a night just for individuals. South Melbourne Districts proved that they are a club made up of players, parents, coaches, team managers and general supporters. Congratulations to all involved who made this year’s Count night a night to remember and be proud of. |