Roach forced to share club award with Wardle
AFL CAIRNS THE trend of Crathern Medal winners failing to win their club best and fairest trophy outright has rolled into the 2019 season.
South Cairns ruckman Jake Roach, who claimed the best and fairest award for the entire AFL Cairns competition earlier this year, was forced to share the Cutters’ highest prize at their end-of-season count.
The roaming ruckman finished equal winner at Fretwell Park with versatile teammate Jermaine Wardle, with dashing defender Nabako Stow the runner-up.
Roach sharing the Cutters’ best and fairest trophy is the latest of four Crathern Medal winners not winning their own club’s highest individual honour outright.
Last season, Saints on-baller Joel Newman claimed the Crathern Medal but teammate Cade Wellington beat the Townsville product in their club count.
Damien Roe, the 2016 Crathern Medallist, had to share Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs best and fairest award in that season with Jayden Holt and it was Tim McAuley who caused the upset in 2017.
Bulldogs midfielder Hugh Nicholson earned the 2017 Crathern Medal with 22 votes but had to settle for second place at club level.
In other awards at South Cairns, most consistent went to Alex Rogers, most improved was Parlyane Na’Awi while the coaches award was claimed by midfielder Ryan Etherington.
At Port Douglas, experienced midfielder Daniel Moore claimed their top gong with Josh Lea finishing second, while youngster Josh Mawson claimed a top three finish.
Midfielder Chris Lee finished second to captain Anthony Stewart in North Cairns’ best and fairest.
At Crathern Park, Josh Brinn won the Bulldogs’ top award from Max Culpitt, while Centrals’ most committed went to Jack Goodwin while Wayne Sharkie handed his coaches award to youngster Sean Babia.
The high-flying Corey Flint finished second to first-year recruit Chris Novy in Manunda’s awards.