Moree Suns AFL Club may have had an up and down season this year, but it has ended on a high note after success at the AFL North West presentation night on Saturday.
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Suns junior Danny Brown cleaned up at the awards, being named the 2018 Junior AFL North West Best and Fairest, as well as the 2018 AFL North West Junior Leading Goal Kicker.
The 15-year-old, who plays in the junior and senior competition each week, also came third in the point score for the senior leading goal kicker rankings and sixth for the senior best and fairest.
Brown said while he tried his best this year, he didn’t expect to win best and fairest.
“It’s a big achievement for me,” he said.
“It was a lot of work to get these awards.
“I think I played very well. I just had to train and go to training every week and improve on my kicking and running. I had to play my hardest and try and be the best on the field and always be good to teammates and help them out.”
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Brown, who plays in the centre, has been playing AFL for the past three years and said he loves the family-orientated club atmosphere.
“I love just making new friends and playing with friends,” he said.
“I want to thank my family for taking me to all of these events and games.”
Moree Suns secretary Annette Hadley said while both of Brown’s awards came as a surprise, he certainly deserved them.
“We knew he played well throughout the season but we didn’t know he was in line with those awards,” she said.
“Danny beat out a competitive field of talented young juniors to take out this award. He has showed great consistency and dedication all season, in juniors and seniors.
“He is always at training and puts his hand up to play every game, even the extremely challenging ones, and has been a great young man to have as part of the Moree Suns family all year and we are very proud that he has been recognised for his performance.”
Hadley herself was also recognised at the awards, winning the 2018 Volunteer of the Year award for all the work she puts in behind the scenes.
As secretary she coordinates team paperwork before and after each game, liaises with the AFL North West league, coordinates executive meetings, attends meetings on behalf of the club, does correspondence on behalf of the club and writes post-match wrap-ups for the Facebook page. She is also the captain of the women’s team.
“I surprised [to receive the award] but pleased because it’s been a long year and we’ve had a few ups and downs,” she said.
“It’s nice to know people can see the hard work that’s been put into keeping our club afloat. It’s nice to know some of the stressful situations I’ve been put through have been worthwhile.”
Meanwhile, a number of other players ranked in the point scores for awards.
Corey Baker placed third in the rankings for the junior leading goal kicker, while Jack Montgomery was ninth in the junior best and fairest ranking. Jack also received points in the senior best and fairest ranking, along with Tristan Duncan. Annette Hadley, Shae Mitchell, Piper Phillis and Belle Brazel were in the contest for the women’s best and fairest award.
Hadley said this recognition for Moree players is a positive moving forward.
“Knowing we have talented players and really good developing young ones who can slowly take on more of a leadership role in the team … makes us quite hopeful for the year to come,” she said.
