Recruited from Seymour, the former All-Australian representative and ex-Northern Bullants player had an outstanding season and he was a clear winner with 171 votes over Club Captain James Flaherty who polled 158 votes to finish runner-up.
With one round to go Scanlon had lead Flaherty by only two votes but an impressive last game, seeing him gain 23 votes made him the outright winner.
Coming off an impressive pre-season, Scanlon played all eighteen home and away matches in an on-ball role, and his consistency throughout the home and away matches was key in him gaining votes in many of the games played.
Prior to the season, Scanlon said his ambition was to play at the highest level possible and the best and fairest award is proves that he made the transition from a major country league to Victorian Football League standard extremely successfully.
In addition to his own performances, he continued to fill a leadership role during the season and his on-ground experience was a great asset for the club’s younger players.
James Flaherty backed up his form of the two previous seasons and thoroughly deserved his high ranking in the vote count, having also been runner-up in 2008.
In only his second year as senior captain, and in his third with the club, his on and off-field leaderships skills continued to mature and, despite being opposed to a number of tall forward line opponents, he revelled in his defender’s role playing consistently well throughout the home and away season when the back line was under pressure.
Having a strong pre-season, Flaherty continually rated amongst the team’s best players each week and thoroughly justified his re-appointment as senior captain.
Leading goal-kicker in the seniors was versatile and strong-marking forward Darcy Daniher who finished with fourteen majors.
Jamie Hackett, who came to the club via the Shepparton Swans and Darwin’s St Mary’s Football Club, polled well to win the Reserves Best and Fairest with a total of 41 votes.
Displaying very consistent form in the reserves, he was rewarded with three senior games which included an impressive performance in the final home and away game of the season against the Werribee Tigers.
Playing predominantly as a midfielder, Hackett provided an alternative avenue in attack and he was also the leading goal-kicker for the reserves with 22 for the season.
Although his pre-season training schedule was hampered by injury, midfielder Simon Davies who finished runner-up in the Reserves award with 39 votes also played five senior games, and he continued to mature as the home and away matches progressed.
An excellent result in the vote count was a reward for Davies’ persistence and determination in overcoming his pre-season set-back with a solid training regime and he was a consistent ball-getter who provided a goal-kicking option on occasions.
The Graham Warfe Memorial Trophy, for the Best First Year Player, was awarded to Simon Weekley who was recruited from Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers in the Mallee Football League.
Although he came to the club as a forward line player, as the season progressed Weekley was asked to fill a key defender’s role and after several reserves games early in the season, he ultimately played fourteen senior matches.
Displaying good ball handling and kicking skills, he impressed in the role of key defender and constantly pressured opposing forwards and strengthened the team’s defensive zone.
2009 is the inaugural season for the naming of the best and fairest award in recognition of the contribution made to the club by current Board Member and former captain, Nick Carter.
