By Nick Creely
The Casey Scorpions had a very successful night at the Peter Jackson VFL and Swisse VFL Women’s awards at Crown Palladium on the night of Monday 12 September.
The Scorpions, who are facing a massive preliminary finals showdown with Williamstown on Sunday, were in good spirits as they enjoyed the festivities on the night.
Ruckman Oscar McInerney, who is a big chance to be drafted by an AFL club, was rewarded for a standout season for the Scorpions, taking out the A. Todd Medal as the Development League’s best and fairest.
The 203-centimetre ruckman played 12 games in the Development League and four times at VFL senior level this season, including a near best-on-ground display against Essendon in just his second VFL appearance.
The VFL Team of the Year was also announced with Scorpions trio Jack Hutchins, Tim Smith and Declan Keilty all featuring in the team.
Hutchins, 24, has been the cornerstone of the Scorpions’ defensive unit all season and his remarkable consistency saw him play 19 games, averaging 13.9 disposals and 4.7 marks per game.
Forward Tim Smith enjoyed a consistent season, averaging 13.7 disposals, 3.9 tackles, 4.4 tackles and 1.5 goals per game, while utility Dylan Keilty had a strong year in what was due recognition of the trio’s hard work and consistency at VFL level.
Other winners at the awards night were Michael Gibbons of Williamstown, who took out the coveted J.J. Liston Trophy as the VFL’s player of the year, Luke Ryan of Coburg who was crowned the Fothergill-Round Medal as the most promising U23 player in the VFL, and Ahmed Saad of Coburg who won the Frosty Miller Medal as the VFL’s leading goal-kicker.
In the inaugural VFL Women’s best and fairest, Darebin’s superstar Daisy Pearce was the winner while Sarah Hosking of Seaford won the Swisse VFL Women’s Rising Star Award and Moana Hope of St Kilda won the VFL Women’s leading goal-kicker award after a whopping 104-goal season.
