Star studded field

By Brad Kingsbury
AN unbelievable season of Casey Cardinia League football has thrown up possibly a dozen genuine chances for the 2009 Norm Walker Medal, awarded to the league best-and-fairest player announced next Monday night.
This year each club has been littered with a mix of proven local stars, high-quality recruits and embarrassingly talented youngsters.
One (or maybe more) will walk away with the medal and the rest can count themselves unlucky.
Given the form of Doveton and Pakenham, it would not surprise if the winner came from either and top chances from the Doves would include Russell Gabriel, Ryan Hendy, Justin Hill and Ricky Hayes, while at the Toomuc Reserve veteran vote-catcher Dan O’Loughlin, Jared Goldsack and Luke Walker should figure in calculations.
Magpie star Michael Collins is a vote-catcher while youngster Daniel Borninkhof is flashy and among the most improved players in the competition.
Berwick pair Andrew Tuck and Jason Heath will attract votes while it would not surprise to see Cranbourne’s Stuart Morrish and exciting teenage wingman Ryan Jones poll well too.
Players from clubs outside the finalists that should come under the umpires’ eye include Robbie Taylor and Chris Kelf from Beaconsfield, Tooradin stars Beau Miller and Steve Arvanitis, ROC ball magnet Greg Tivendale, Keysborough playmaker Clinton King, Daniel Rigg from Devon Meadows and young Redback Luke Nunan.
Of course there are many other players who have had patches of top form this year and could figure in the finish.
The count will be held next Monday night at Mornington racecourse, with other awards to be presented including the Pakenham Gazette Team of the Year, the Gazette Young Gun and the Most Valuable Player as voted by the 11 Casey Cardinia league coaches.
The stars will shine next Monday but in what order is the question.
For the sake of it here’s my best guess.
1. Michael Collins (Narre Warren)
2. Russell Gabriel (Doveton)
3. Greg Tivendale (ROC)
Roughie-Daniel Borninkhof (Narre Warren)