Vote Count Results for the 2008 Season

10 September 2008

Seniors & Reserves

In the hazy mist that is post season, a number of players have been rightfully recognised for their on field efforts during the year. For the second time in his career, Captain Matt Kempton took out the senior Best and Fairest. Matt's dedication to Blacks and his efforts on the field can never be questioned and he encapsulates what the Blacks Football Club is all about. Since joining the club in 2004, Kempo has never finished lower than second in the senior vote count and his win was not only well-deserved but also a popular result with everyone bar Linc Merlo's betting syndicate.

Runner up was former Perth-based player Matt O'Hara, who in his first year at the Blacks has made an instant impression. Coming into a new club environment always has its challenges and for Matt to perform as well as he did speaks volumes on his character, ability, professionalism and the West Australian development pathways.

The Reserves Best and Fairest was won by Kieran Prestidge who became the first person from New Zealand to win an individual award since Rob Waddell at the 2000 Olympics. Kieran won by a single vote from ruckmen Lachie Vallance who had a stellar debut season in the twos.

Results:

Senior Best and Fairest: Matt Kempton
Senior Runner up B&F: Matt O'Hara

Reserves Best and Fairest: Kieran Prestidge
Reserves Runner up B&F: Lachie Vallance

Club XVIII

The Club 18 best and fairest was taken out by club stalwart Jimmy Fuller.

Jimmy scored the maximum allocation of votes in the last round to overcome a raft of team mates including Tommy Polkinghorne, Tom Macfarlane and Matty Abelthorpe, who were still a winning chance coming into the last round. The effort by Jimmy was made all the more spectacular given Jimmy's dedication in changing a flight from Perth to come home early and take his place in the preliminary final. Jimmy is admired by his team mates for his fearless attack on the ball and is a very deserving winner of the medal.

In an interesting aside, and perhaps in an effort to pre-empt his award, Jimmy was the only player to turn up in Black Tie to the Clyde, ensuring he was well dressed to take home the medal.