Bennett wins Mulrooney Medal

Bennett was awarded the medal at the prestigious Mulrooney Medal Presentation lunch held today at the Woden Tradies Club, after polling 21 votes ahead of runner-up Kaine Stevens from Queanbeyan with 15 votes.

In 18 matches with the Magpies this season, Bennett was judged in Belconnen’s best six players for 16 of those matches, capping off a stellar individual season in which the Magpies almost took home the minor premiership before being pipped at the post by the Sydney Swans.

Josh Bennett of Ainslie received the NEAFL Eastern Conference Leading Goal Kicker Award, kicking 61 majors during the season. Belconnen’s Matthew Lokan was only three goals short, finishing the regular season with 58 goals.

Brent Macleod of Tuggeranong was awarded the NAB Rising Star Award for 2013 for his standout performances with the Hawks. Andrew Dess added to Belconnen’s plaudits with the Goal of the Year for his Round 19 performance, while Marcus Crook of Ainslie won the Mark of the Year for the second year in succession for his efforts in Round 8.

Matthew Lokan was awarded the Coach of the Year title for his impressive second season in charge of the Belconnen Magpies. Under Lokan, Belconnen doubled their victories from 2012 and qualified for this year’s NEAFL Eastern Conference Final.

The Umpire of the Year Award was presented to Brent Pawley, who had an outstanding year that saw many rate him as the leading field umpire in the NEAFL Eastern Conference, and earn selection to officiate the conference final.

In addition to the NEAFL Eastern Conference Team of the Year announcement, Ryan Quade and James Kavanagh of the Queanbeyan Tigers and Pete McGrath of the Tuggeranong Hawks were inducted into the 200 Club after notching up the milestone during the 2013 season.

2013 NEAFL EASTERN CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS

Mulrooney Medal – James Bennett, Belconnen
Leading Goal Kicker – Josh Bennett, Ainslie
NAB Rising Star Award – Brent Macleod, Tuggeranong
Goal of the Year – Andrew Dess, Belconnen
Mark of the Year – Marcus Crook, Ainslie
Coach of the Year – Matthew Lokan, Belconnen
Umpire of the Year – Brent Pawley

200 Club inductees:

James Kavanagh, Queanbeyan
Pete McGrath, Tuggeranong
Ryan Quade, Queanbeyan

2013 NEAFL EASTERN CONFERENCE TEAM OF THE YEAR

B: Shane Biggs – Sydney Swans, John Van Meurs – Eastlake Demons, Cameron Campbell – Belconnen Magpies
HB: Kade Klemke – Queanbeyan Tigers, Tim Barton (VC) – Sydney University, Sam Darley – UWS GIANTS
C: Aaron Vandenberg – Ainslie, Anthony Miles – UWS GIANTS, Jake Lloyd – Sydney Swans
HF: Ash Harris – Ainslie, Andrew Dess – Belconnen Magpies, Daniel Robinson – Sydney Swans
F: Tim Barrett – Sydney University, Josh Bennett – Ainslie, Matthew Lokan – Belconnen Magpies
FOLL: Tom Downie – UWS GIANTS, James Bennett (C) – Belconnen Magpies, Kaine Stevens – Queanbeyan Tigers
I/C: Brent Macleod – Tuggeranong Hawks, Nick Heyne – Ainslie, Trent Stubbs – Sydney Hills Eagles, Matthew Porter – Belconnen Magpies

Coach: Matthew Lokan
Umpire: Brent Pawley