MATTHEW Bate has finished runner-up to Tim Mohr in this year’s Gardner Clark Medal, as the best and fairest player for Casey Scorpions.
Mohr, who hails from Tasmania, played seven VFL games for the now defunct Tassie Devils, before joining the Scorpions in 2008.
Mohr, who hails from Tasmania, played seven VFL games for the now defunct Tassie Devils, before joining the Scorpions in 2008.
He capped off a great season by winning the club's major award last Friday night with 97 votes.
Mohr held off Bate by 16 votes in a close finish with full forward Brendan Fevola coming in third on 61 votes.
The 195cm, 98kg key position player shrugged off injuries from previous seasons to produce a consistent year, playing mainly in defence although he was occasionally called on to pinch hit in the ruck.
Mohr combined his size, good strength, speed, while he was noted for his long kicking.
Mohr held off Bate by 16 votes in a close finish with full forward Brendan Fevola coming in third on 61 votes.
The 195cm, 98kg key position player shrugged off injuries from previous seasons to produce a consistent year, playing mainly in defence although he was occasionally called on to pinch hit in the ruck.
Mohr combined his size, good strength, speed, while he was noted for his long kicking.
He will attend this week's AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium along with many other draft hopefuls who are aiming for places on AFL club lists in 2012.
The fast-finishing Bate was unlucky to miss out on the award.
The fast-finishing Bate was unlucky to miss out on the award.
After snatching the lead by a single vote late in the count, he missed two rounds playing for the Demons, which enabled Mohr to hit the front again.
He held this lead to the end, which came in the form of the club's crushing semi final exit against Werribee.
Fevola also had a strong second half year to finish third. He was the club's top goalkicker with 68 and was a narrow runner-up for the Frosty Miller Medal for the VFL's top goalkicker.
Fevola also had a strong second half year to finish third. He was the club's top goalkicker with 68 and was a narrow runner-up for the Frosty Miller Medal for the VFL's top goalkicker.
He nudged out last year's third placegetter Matthew Warnock, who had another great season at full-back.
Co-captain and a multiple best and fairest winner James Wall finished fifth ahead of future Demon ruck star Max Gawn.
Mohr also picked up the Leader Media Award and the $1,000.00 cheque that goes with it.
Co-captain and a multiple best and fairest winner James Wall finished fifth ahead of future Demon ruck star Max Gawn.
Mohr also picked up the Leader Media Award and the $1,000.00 cheque that goes with it.
Rian McGough and Michael Stockdale were presented with their 50th game awards by former player and Fremantle defender Alex Silvagni.
Another former Scorpion with the Dockers is Peter Faulks, who recently made his AFL debut with that club.
Wall and courageous co-skipper Kyle Matthews presented the 2011 Captains Award to youngster Luke Tynan, who also received the Reserves Best and Fairest award from Scorpion legend ‘Snowy’ Fenton in whose honour the award is named.
Senior coach Brad Gotch was recognised for his achievement on coaching his 250th VFL match this season.
Wall and courageous co-skipper Kyle Matthews presented the 2011 Captains Award to youngster Luke Tynan, who also received the Reserves Best and Fairest award from Scorpion legend ‘Snowy’ Fenton in whose honour the award is named.
Senior coach Brad Gotch was recognised for his achievement on coaching his 250th VFL match this season.
By season's end, he was up to 264 games which puts him behind only Bill Faull and Gerard FitzGerald in the number of games coached in VFL/VFA history.
Other seniors awards went to:
Team Acts award - James Wall (who won this award last year)
Players MVP - Matthew Bate
Coaches Award - Matthew Warnock
Most Improved Award - Will Petropoulos
Steve Harrison Rising Star Award - Mitch Gent
Top votegetters (Gardner-Clark Medal)
1. Tim Mohr 97
2. Matthew Bate 81
3. Brendan Fevola 69
4. Matthew Warnock 63
5. James Wall 55
6. Max Gawn 49
7. Michael Stockdale 43
8. Tom McNamara 38
9. Addam Maric 34
Reserves Award winners were:
Best & Fairest - Luke Tynan
Runner up best and fairest - David Bell
Team acts award - Jordan Pollard
Reserves MVP Award - Stefan Baumgartner
Reserves Coaches award - Gus Patti
Most improved award - Jess Bolton
Aaron Purves was the reserves competition's top goalkicker
