Koop’s commandos

By Brad Kingsbury
CRANBOURNE mentor Doug Koop was named as the coach of the 2009 Pakenham Gazette Casey Cardinia League Team of the Year announced at the league’s vote-count dinner on Monday night.
The former AFL midfielder’s effort to lift the Eagles into their first final series for 10 years was acknowledged by the honour, as was the dedication of retiring Beaconsfield coach Robbie Taylor who was named as captain of the league’s star-studded super side. Tooradin midfielder and former league best-and-fairest winner Beau Miller was named as vice-captain.
Including Koop, 15 of the 23 members were from the top five sides in the competition with Doveton and Narre Warren boasting the most nomination at four each.
The coaches Most Valuable Player for the year, Greg Tivendale was selected on a half forward flank, while Casey Cardinia League Young Gun Ryan Jones was among several players unlucky not to be included in the 22.
Others who were unlucky to miss a berth included Andrew Williams, Grant Noonan, Nathan Brown, Ryan Simpson, Jesse Dehey, Steve Arvanitis, Matt Fletcher and veteran on-baller Dan O’Loughlin.
All had outstanding seasons but were edged out of the side in the final selection.
Four big-name Casey Cardinia League recruits proved their value and made the grade with Russell Gabriel, Daniel Rigg and Jason Heath joining Tivendale in the side.
One of the more notable omissions was that of league-leading goal kicker Grant Noonan from Berwick who was overlooked in favour of MPNFL interleague spearhead Daniel Fry for the full forward post, while Hampton Park was the only side not to have a player in this year’s line up.
Nepean League and Peninsula League teams were also announced on the night.
The Nepean League side saw former Hampton Park spearhead Kerem Baskaya selected at full forward as one of four Pearcedale players in the team coached by Dromana mentor Damon Lawrence and captained by Grant Johnson of Sorrento.
In Peninsula league, Bonbeach mentor Shawn Scurrah was selected as coach, while 2008 premiers Seaford had the most representatives with five including captain Chris Irving.