Winner - Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy: Nathan Jones
“It’s a great honour to get up here … and it’s just great to be part of a great footy club. For me personally, it’s a great honour to win the ‘Bluey’ - I’ve always looked up to the boys who have won one in the past. I’m extremely glad to now be part of that group. It’s been a very challenging year … and there is no way to sugar coat it, but I can assure you that I’ve never been more confident in the way we’re going and the direction that Neeldy and the coaches are pushing us. I’m confident that the standards are being set and the boys are ready to rise and take the next step.”
Runner-up - Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy: Jack Grimes
“I’d like to say what an honour it is to win this award. It really is very humbling. To Neeldy and all the other coaches for their support over the time - I’ve obviously had a bit of a tough break with injuries over the years, but they stuck by me and really believed in me. I’m rapt with the faith that they’ve put in me and I hope that I can repay that faith over the next few years, when we start moving up.”
Third - Ron Barassi Senior Memorial Trophy: Tom McDonald
“I was very glad that Jade Rawlings was the one to present to me, because he’s been such a massive help this year as a backline coach. I trained as a forward all pre-season and then to go back, it gave me a lot of confidence throughout the year.”
Fourth - Ivor Warne-Smith Memorial Trophy: Jordie McKenzie
“It’s a real honour … the club was good enough to give me an opportunity to achieve my childhood dream of playing AFL footy and I still pinch myself that I get to represent this proud club each week … and I get to go out on the MCG and it’s a real privilege. I know we’re heading in the right direction, but there is obviously a lot of hard work and a long way to go.”
Fifth - Dick Taylor Memorial Trophy: Jared Rivers
“I was quite surprised [with this award]. The reason I play footy is I get to spend time with my mates, day in day out and I really enjoy that side of it. It’s been a tough year … I’ve kept learning throughout the year.”
Norm Smith Memorial Trophy: Jordie McKenzie
“I’ve been lucky enough to win this award … it is a massive honour and I’ve been lucky enough to play under a great coaching staff this year, led by Neeldy (Mark Neeld). I’ve worked very closely with him, but they all (the coaches) go above and beyond their call of duty to help us out. They’re putting hours and hours into us and it’s really appreciated. I’ve been lucky enough that they’ve trusted me to have some big roles, and I’ve really enjoyed that trust they’ve put in me. Hopefully I can continue to develop.”
Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy: Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes
Jack Grimes: “To win an award like this, named after the great man Ron Barassi, is a huge honour … to be standing up here with Trenners is a huge thrill, because so many guys have made massive steps this year and have really come out of their shell with their leadership. When Neeldy pulled me into his office and shook my hand and told me I’d be co-captain of the Melbourne footy club - it was the proudest moment of my life.”
Jack Trengove: “It’s an absolute honour to win this award - named after such a great of the Melbourne Football Club in Ron Barassi.”
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy: Tom McDonald
“Being a second year player, I didn’t really expect to play a lot this year. I hoped I could crack into the side, but I got lucky and I got the chance. I really want to thank the club for the opportunity they gave me.”
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy: Max Gawn
“It’s been a tough year on the field for the team and as an individual, it’s probably been my toughest year in my short career. But there have been plenty of opportunities to go about - I went to Alice Springs and Darwin … it’s a great honour to win this award.”
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy: Tom Couch
“I feel honoured to receive the award. At the start of the year, I just wanted to be the best footballer I could be, and a lot of people in this room have helped me achieve that.
Jim Stynes President’s Award: Josh Mahoney
“When you win any award, which is voted by your peers and in my case, my co-workers - it’s always very special. But to receive an award named after Jim Stynes in the year of his passing is, to be honest, pretty overwhelming. The time I got to spend with Jim - one of his great strengths was bringing people together.”
Jim Cardwell CEO’s award: Ryan Larkin
“It’s an honour to receive this award. I consider myself pretty lucky … there is probably another 30 people who were worthy of standing here [on stage] receiving this award.”
