Stars shine in top teams

THE 2005 Gazette MPNFL Teams of the Year were announced at Monday’s league votecount dinner with the competition’s best footballers honoured with selection.
The CaseyCardinia League team was highlighted by selections from 11 of the competition’s 12 clubs in the 22strong list.
Teenager Michael Henry, from Doveton, was among those to make the grade, while the veteran of this year’s team was Hampton Park defender Terry McKinley at 36.
Many players were considered for selection and among those unlucky not to be included were Shane Dwyer (Narre Warren), Ryan Hendy (Doveton), Lincoln Withers (Pakenham), Jesse DeHey (Devon Meadows) and Ben Tivendale (ROC).
Pakenham coach Michael Holland was named captain, while Hampton Park coach Jason Chapple pipped Doveton mentor Steve Henwood as coach after leading the young Redbacks to a surprise finals’ appearance.
Peninsula League and Nepean League teams were also announced on the night.
In Peninsula League, former Springvale onballer Damien Carroll was a surprise selection as coach, while gun forward Simon Goosey finished his career as the league’s premier fullforward again.
The Nepean League side as selected by Andrew Kelly, Pat Swayne, Tony Blackford, Gavin Artico and Jason Hardwick boasted Langwarrin coach Artico as captain and now retired Sorrento mentor, Blackford as coach.