Mitch Daniher claims Mulrooney Medal
Queanbeyan’s Mitch Daniher has become the first back-to-back Mulrooney Medallist in 14 years taking out AFL Canberra’s best and fairest player award.
After sharing the medal last season with Tuggeranong’s Craig Healey and Eastlake’s Chad Gibson, Daniher became the outright winner of the coveted medal following AFL Canberra’s night of nights on Tuesday.
Daniher’s 17 votes were enough to get him over the line, one vote in front of former Adelaide Crow Robert Shirley as well as fellow Ainslie player Marcus Crook.
“I was pretty surprised, you don’t really expect to win,” Daniher said.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all, the last thing you think about is winning individual medals.
“There are a lot of good players in the competition at the moment and to win it with a fair bit of talent running around in the league does add something extra to it.”
The talented midfielder has quickly become one of the stars of the competition and was rewarded further this season by being named in AFL Canberra’s team of the year.
While honoured to receive the highest individual award in the competition, Daniher said the medal doesn’t help soften the blow of missing out on a place in this year’s grand final.
“It was disappointing to finish where we did, we had the side to get into the grand final but you put individual awards aside so it was still pretty disappointing not to make the grand final.”
At only 24 years of age it is not impossible for Daniher to claim his third straight medal next year.
Tigers coach Mark Armstrong said the midfielder is one of the most gifted players he has seen for some time.
“He’s so hard, his work rate’s enormous, he gets battered from pillar to post but still wins a massive amount of footy,” Armstrong told the Canberra Times.
“He’s short and he’s super light, he’s the bravest small player I’ve ever seen play the game. He’s a fiery red head, [he has] beautiful skills either side of his body.
“I’ve been involved with the club for a long time and he’s one of the most outstanding players I’ve seen come through, not only at this club but in the competition.”
Queanbeyan finished the year in fourth place but Daniher said the club should feel confident about the direction they’re heading in the future.
“There’s a lot of young blokes coming through and a lot of young kids that got a go this year so I think we’ll be better for it next year.
“Things are looking pretty good for the next couple of years.”
