Michael Fogarty wins Harvey Gordon Medal – Sydney University Best and Fairest
Liz Hawtin and Michael Fogarty were the big winners at the 2017 SUANFC Cec & Bunty Champion Dinner.
In front of a big crowd at the Sydney University TAG Function Room, Hawtin was awarded the prestigious Cec & Bunty Champion Club Person of the Year and Fogarty claimed the Harvey Gordon Medal for Premier Division Best & Fairest after a stellar 2017.
After several years of tireless service, acting as Team Manager for both Premier Division and Blues as well as providing assistance wherever she was able to lend a hand, Liz was voted unanimously by the Awards Committee as being the most outstanding volunteer contributor of 2017.
Newly minted Gordon Medallist Fogarty has played across every grade in Sydney AFL since joining the club three seasons ago, but 2017 was his first in the top grade. Playing primarily as a ruckman, ‘Cheeky’ was named in the best players 8 times out of 15 games, and was instrumental in the Premier Division team claiming the Minor Premiership and making their first Grand Final since 2010.
The awarding of the Harvey Gordon Medal carried extra significance in 2017, following the passing of the great man and club legend Banger back in March.
Popular clubman, Senior Assistant Coach, Committee Member, Club Sponsor and sometimes player Gus Stephenson was awarded the coveted red jumper and accepted to SUANFC as a Life Member following ten seasons of outstanding service.
Harry Morrison was awarded the SUANFC Rising Star along with Ryan Hebron following an electrifying debut season with the club. A first-year University student from Victoria, Harry was a key part of the youthful Premier Division side that put SUANFC back on the map in Sydney football. Not only that, but he provided possibly the highlight of the season with his late match winner on Old Boy’s Day in front of a frenzied crowd at No. 1 Oval.
The Ramus/Carter Best in Finals Trophy was awarded to Zac O’Brien, while Tim Barton took home the Colin Keeble Most Consistent Trophy.
There were also a number of Outstanding Contribution trophies presented to club members that had gone above and beyond in their duties throughout the year. Joshua Cutrupi, Adam Birman, Jack Prato and Lloyd Perris demonstrated a commitment to the club in 2017 that stood as an example to their peers.
Awards for all grades from Premier Division through to Under 19s were announced, with Best & Fairest trophies going to Michael Fogarty (Premier Division), Glenn Smith (Blues – Division 1), Ned Rohrt (Reds – Division 2), Joel Carr (Golds – Division 4), Nick Craze (Platinums – Division 5) and Michael Nettheim (Colts – Under 19s).
Will Stratford, Charlie Morgan and Nik Dale claimed the awards for Leading Goalkicker in their respective groups.
Sam Gilfedder was selected by the Awards Committee as Best First Year Player after his outstanding performances across the lower grades in his first ever season of football, while Manning Begg snared the Most Improved Player award following his rise from Division 5 in 2016 to the higher grades in 2017.
A list of all winners across both the Tim Driscoll Medal and Cec & Bunty Champion award nights can be found below.
