By JARROD POTTER
NOBLE PARK’S Mouneer Ghanem achieved a rare feat last Tuesday night: back to back best and fairest awards.
Ghanem, 16, from Noble Park, won the South East Juniors league best and fairest for the under-16 division 1 (Premier 2) – finishing on 23 votes ahead of Beaconsfield’s Thomas Glen (19) and equal-third place Tooradin’s Cameron Brown (13) and Endeavour Hills’ Bailey Rice (13).
The Bulls midfielder didn’t think he was going to win, but Ghanem was proud to earn back-to-back best and fairest awards.
“It was pretty good – more enjoyable since the team did well – just missed out on finals though,” Ghanem said.
“I had no idea. I thought I would finish top five, but didn’t think I’d win it again.
“It’s nice – it feels pretty good.”
Ghanem rates this year’s best and fairest as his proudest achievement as he stepped up to the faster under-16 competition. The Bulls finished fifth on percentage just outside finals, with Ghanem leading from the front as captain.
“I think this one was a little better – just stepped up a bit,” Ghanem said.
“Just probably worked a little harder on the off-season. It was a lot faster this year and definitely more pressure as well.
“It was a good responsibility to be captain of the team.”
Ghanem will stick with the junior club next season, electing to play under-17s with his mates.
Parkmore JFC’s Tavita Paese polled 20 votes to win the under-13 division 3 best and fairest and the Pirates’ under-11 division 2 team’s Jordan Camilleri finished runner-up on 15 votes.
