Andrew Purchase has capped a second successful season at Burra-Booborowie-Hallett by winning the 2008 Mail Medal for the A grade best and fairest player in the North Eastern Football League.
He finished the season with 20 votes to claim the 2008 medal by one vote from 2007 Mail Medallist Ryan McDermid of Mintaro-Manoora.
The tension-packed count at Blyth Town Hall went down to the last round of the season with third place being shared by three players on 18 votes – Nick McCormack (Blyth Snowtown), Todd Miles (Min-Man) and James Vandeleur (RSMU).
“It was a shock to win,” Purchase told the Northern Argus as players and officials offered hearty congratulations.
“I thought I had a better season last year actually.”
The Adelaide-based player spent his junior years with West Adelaide and Sacred Heart before deciding to join BBH in 2007.
“We knew it was a good club and knew a couple of people there,” Purchase said of his decision to don a Rams guernsey.
“This is a good competition and I’m really enjoying it so I reckon I’ll be back again next year.”
Despite the closeness of the count, Purchase was in front at the end of each round, sharing the lead with Todd Miles after seven matches, and moving two votes in front of Miles to his final tally of 20 after 14 games.
McDermid was in fifth place with 14 votes after 14 games, but picked up a “two” in Round 15 and a “three” in the final round to move into second place.
The A grade count featured a short summary of each round by master-of-ceremonies Paul McCormack prior to the calling of votes by league president Graeme Wandel as they flashed onto the screen compliments of a Powerpoint presentation.
The B grade best and fairest medal count, for the Geoff Pink Memorial Trophy, was just as close with Blyth Snowtown’s Phillip Bigg winning with 15 votes from Riverton-Saddleworth-Marrabel United’s Vinnie Pyke (14 votes).
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of life membership to North Eastern Football League secretary Marlene Kleinig in recognition of her 17 years’ service in the role.
League president Graeme Wandel called onto the stage all former presidents in attendance, along with representatives of the league tribunal, junior football, zone football, umpires and the media to pay tribute to Marlene, which was followed by a standing ovation.
The inaugural Barracker/Sports Centre Coaches’ Footballer of the Year Award was won by Min-Man ruckman Todd Miles.
North Clare coach Craig Jaescke was selected as the coach of the Northern Argus 2008 Team of the Year, while RSMU captain Kimberley Hart was selected as the skipper and Blyth-Snowtown’s Nick Humphrys as the vice captain.
New players in the team this year were Jamie Williams (RSMU), Glenn Hayes (Blyth-Snowtown), Peter Mann (BBH), Tom Riggs (BBH), Shane Ross (Min Man) and Brad Currie (Min Man), while Graham McInerney was selected as an umpire for the first time.
Leading goalkicking trophies were presented to RSMU’s Jamie Williams (A grade, 59 goals) and North Clare skipper Nick Jones (B grade, 50 goals).
Presentations of team photos were made to all players who represented North Eastern in the successful Landmark Cup team and the Central Zone team.
Framed photos were presented to the league’s three State Country representatives – Peter Mann (BBH), James Vandeleur (RSMU) and Todd Miles (Min Man) – and also to their club presidents.
“To see these three guys up here collecting these awards is a credit to your league,” SANFL zone director Nick Hambour said.
– All the votes, Page 20
Email a friend