Derwent dasher gunning for early honours
DERWENT’S rising star Ewan Vickery is a top chances to win the men’s Premier League player of the season award this Saturday night.
Vickery, 17, has had a standout season and was again influential as Derwent earned direct entry into the grand final with a 3-2 defeat of North West Graduates in Saturday’s semi-final.
Canterbury’s Sam McCulloch won last year’s award at 19 and has quickly risen to the Australian U/21 side, while OHA’s Jeremy Edwards, who won the award at 17, has since played 62 games for Australia.
But first the defenderturned-midfielder will need to see off a career best season from Graduates defender Alistair White and Canterbury’s ever reliable Ian McHugh.
White scored eight goals with greater penalty corner opportunities in the absence of teammate Jai Walker-Kidd, while McHugh was instrumental in guiding a young Lions side back to the finals for the first time in a decade.
Also, expected to be in the mix are James Bourke, Ollie Arnold (both NWG), Josh Brooks, Ben Read (both Uni), Kurt Budgeon (Canterbury), Hayden Beltz (DiamonBacks) and Nick Leslie (OHA).
An impressive second half of the season could see DiamondBacks defender Nicole Geeves come home strongly for the women’s award.
Geeves will face a challenge for votes from teammates Philly Bridley and Emily Donovan, but the award is an open affair after North West Graduates defender Louisa Jacobson succumbed to a foot injury to only play 14 games.
OHA’s Sarah McCambridge, Derwent’s Amelia Spence and Canterbury’s Hannah Richardson look the main dangers, while OHA youngsters Maddi Brooks and Laura Spandler will also have caught the umpire’s attention.
The time honoured Lord Mayor’s trophy for best senior club will be closely fought out by DiamondBacks, North West Graduates and OHA, with Derwent joining the trio to contend for the Ron Mills trophy for best junior club.
The awards night will follow the Premier League’s preliminary finals on Saturday afternoon, with OHA facing DiamondBacks in the women before North West Graduates head out for revenge against last year’s nemesis University in the men’s.