MPNFL best and fairest review

By Brad Kingsbury
BEACONSFIELD midfielder Daniel Charles won the Norm Walker medal for CaseyCardinia League’s bestandfairest player on Monday night in a runaway victory.
Charles won with 31 votes, a massive 13 ahead of Doveton centre halfforward Ryan Brown on 18, who was unlucky, given he missed the last five games with a groin injury. Devon Meadows captain Jesse DeHey was a further two votes back in third place.
The 32yearold Aboriginal star was a shining light for the Eagles this season and consistently showed the poise under pressure that is unique to players of indigenous origin.
He remained fit throughout the season, despite the physical rigours of a key role in the centre and, together with improved teammate Kris Fletcher, formed a relationship with Beaconsfield and MPNFL ruckman Chris Kelf that proved one of the best in the league.
After receiving the medal Charles thanked coach Leigh Clifford for recruiting him to the club, together with Kelf and his teammates.
“At the end of last year when I decided to leave Karingal, I spoke to Coco (Clifford) and he said there was a spot in the centre for me this season if I was interested. I said fine and went down on the first day of preseason and that was it,” he said.
“It’s a great honour and you don’t get these awards unless you have great teammates and in Kelfy I’ve got the best. It’s hard not to get a few kicks when he puts the ball down your throat every time.
“I really want to thank him and the rest of the Beacy boys.”
Charles coached Somerville during his career and has already had discussions with the Eagles about his role in 2006 after Clifford stepped down from the coaching position on Sunday.
The senior votecounts in the MPNFL’s other two competitions were closer.
Former Sandringham onballer, now Chelsea coach, Tim ScottBranagan won the Peninsula league award by one vote from Mt Eliza’s David Willett, while veteran Rye ruckman Greg Doyle, downed Langwarrin rover Ryan Grose by one vote in the Nepean league count, with a best on ground performance in the last round of the season.
It was the former Melbourne big man’s second consecutive league medal.
Senior CaseyCardinia league votingtop 41:
Daniel CHARLES Beaconsfield 31, Ryan BROWN Doveton 18, Jesse DEHEY DM 16, Heath BARNES Dingley 15, Lee CLARK NW 15, Christopher CAPSALIS Keysborough 14, Michael HENRY Doveton 14, Daniel FIELD NW 13, Kris FLETCHER Beaconsfield 13, Thomas HALLINAN Tooradin 12, David GEORGE Doveton 11, Luke JAMES DM 11, Daniel O’LOUGHLIN Tooradin 11, Sebastian PAYNTER Pakenham 10, Kevin QUINN ROC 10, Lincoln WITHERS Pakenham 10, Justin HILL Doveton 9, Tony LAVARS Dingley 9, Ryan SIMPSON Hampton Park 9, Clint WILSON Doveton 9, Marc HOLT Cranbourne 8, Adam JAGO DM 8, Ricky CLARK NW 7, Robert HUGHES Doveton 7, Christopher KELF Beaconsfield 7, Brett ARMITAGE Hampton Park 6, Kerem BASKAYA Hampton Park 6, Dean BLAKE ROC 6, Shane BREWSTER NW 6, Daniel CASSET Doveton 6, Jason CHAPPLE Hampton Park 6, Ryan DONALDSON Berwick 6, Scott EASTWOOD Hampton Park 6, Craig MARSHALL Dingley 6, Michael MOYLAN ROC 6, Shane O’BRIEN Hampton Park 6, Daniel O’HARA Berwick 6, Tom O’LOUGHLIN Tooradin 6, Karl RUSSO Pakenham 6, Josh TAYLOR Hampton Park 6, Adam WRIGHT Cranbourne 6.