Eric Lines Medal winner Jesse Corigliano with Keiran Lawson Award Winner Matthew Stillman, who finished 3rd.
Second year defender Jesse Corigliano has taken out the Eric Lines Medal as the Development League sides best and fairest, winning comfortably by nine votes ahead of Jackson Clarke, with fellow small defender Matthew Stillman coming in third place.
Former Calder Cannon Corigliano comfortably led from the early rounds to the finish as a result of his consistent season, especially in the back end of the season where he put together a string of impressive performances, and stood up especially with the side being down on form.
“Being named Best and Fairest was humbling and satisfying, just coming from where I was last year playing between local footy and development. Wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of the coaches, especially Hasto and Dunny who put a lot of work into the year.” Corigliano said.
Despite missing the last two games of the season, having being called up to the senior side on the back of his form, no one was able to catch Corigliano in the end.
Runner-up Jackson Clarke was also acknowledged for his season in defence. The former Murray Bushranger who spent most of an injury riddled season 2015 up forward spent the entire season down back and it saw him add to his three senior games from last season, adding another three towards the end of the season.
After suffering from a hamstring injury in his round one senior debut, former Calder Captain Matthew Stillman’s third place came on the back of a consistent season in the side, and was rewarded for his persistence with senior games late in the season as well, having earlier found it tough to break back into the side.
Leading A.Todd Medal vote getter Adam Valeri took out the Team Spirit Award as a result of his team first approach in 2016. This was the former West Preston-Lakeside Junior’s first year in the VFL system.
It was the former Queenslander and Strathmore Juniors night however, as he was one of the clubs most improved players- having put aside the disappointment from being omitted from last year’s Development League Finals Campaign to be the sides top player for 2016.
“I thought 2016 was a big step up for me, as I mentioned before I struggled to cement my spot in the side last year, as well as early this year. In saying that, there is always room to improve though and although I had a reasonable year in the Development League there are a few things I need to work on to start playing consistently in the senior side. Germo has spoken to me and I’m keen to start working on them,” Corigliano added.
“Playing in the seniors was a really good learning experience. Learnt so much about the work rate required on and off the ball and will take that and use it regardless of the level that I will play at in the future. I’m really looking forward to 2017, hopefully with another year together as a playing group we can push for finals in both seniors and development. On a personal note I’m looking forward to improving my footy and striving to play as many senior games as I can.”
While the finish to the Development League season wasn’t ideal for the Lions, having being equal top midway through the season, the amount of talent in the group have given the club much to look forward to in the future.
