Following on from the recent selections of the 2017 Division 1 and 2 Teams of the Year, the SFNL Media Team put their heads together and selected a Team of the Year for Division 3. The selection criteria was that same as that which underpinned the Division 1 and 2 teams, with players picked on the basis of:
- Consistency
- Durability
- Versatility
- Quality of performance
Below is the team as selected by the SFNL Media Team:
FULL BACKS
TRAVIS GRAESKE (Doveton)
A very versatile player, Graeske is dangerous in multiple positions, but he excelled in defensive posts at various stages this season. A regular contributor throughout the year.
DANIEL KICK (Black Rock)
The Jets’ backline general was one of his team’s most consistent players all season. A great pair of hand and rarely beaten, Kick cemented his status as one of the competition’s elite defenders.
MATT MAGINNESS (Ashwood)
The four-time club Best & Fairest winner had another tremendous season. Great hands and a fierce competitor, Maginness is a big game player that stands up in the big moments.
[caption id="attachment_16434" align="aligncenter" width="501"]
Jets' super-stopper Daniel Kick has enjoyed a brilliant season.[/caption]
HALF BACKS
MANNY PERESSO (Hallam)
Like a fine bottle of Grange, the Hallam veteran just keeps getting better with age. Leads by example both on and off the field, and consistently in the Hawks’ most influential players.
SHAUN RICHARDS (Endeavour Hills)
A great competitor and super dangerous both in the air and at ground level. Loves to run and create off the back half, also hitting the scoreboard with 19 goals. The complete package.
DANIEL STROM (Endeavour Hills)
An agile defender that is great offensively. Strom reads the play well, has great footy smarts and uses the footy superbly, forcing his opponent to be accountable at all times.
[caption id="attachment_16435" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Falcon Shaun Richards is a massive threat with ball in hand.[/caption]
CENTRES
JAKE CHAPMAN (Ashwood)
One of the most electrifying players in the competition, the classy Chapman is a genuine linebreaker. Exceptionally quick, loves to take the game on and kicks goals.
CORRIE WILSON (Doveton)
The Eagles premiership captain and reigning Flack Medallist is the complete footballer. Hard at the contest, wins his own footy, has great skills and leads by example.
PAUL MAURACHER (Carrum Patterson Lakes)
Mauracher was one of the Lions’ most consistent players on what was a disappointing season for the club. Played all 18 matches, booted 15 goals and was rarely missing from his side’s best each week.
[caption id="attachment_16431" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
CPL skipper Paul Mauracher has led from the front all season.[/caption]
HALF FORWARDS
BRENTON RAFFERTY (Black Rock)
Whether up forward or through the midfield, livewire Rafferty knows where the goals are and is capable of turning a game in a quarter. A class operator with a good footy brain.
DALE CARROLL (Ashwood)
A powerfully-build, tall marking forward that leads from the front. Can pinch-hit in the ruck where he uses his strong frame to good effect. Booted 45 goals for the season.
CORY WILSON (Doveton Eagles)
The ex-Clayton midfielder shone out as one of the Eagles more consistent players. Can play a variety of roles, and with 33 goals in the home and away season, is capable of inflicting significant damage on the scoreboard.
[caption id="attachment_16432" align="aligncenter" width="334"]
Ashwood spearhead Dale Carroll.[/caption]
FORWARDS
RUSSELL ROBERTSON (Doveton Eagles)
The ex-Melbourne high-flier unsurprisingly took the Division 3 competition by storm in 2017. Robbo booted 44 goals for the home and away season at a stunning average of more than six per game and kicked the deciding goal that delivered the Eagles the flag.
TREVOR KUMATAITIS (Lyndale)
The big Lyndale spearhead finished the season as the League's most prolific goalkicker with 65 majors, 15 clear of his nearest rival. Impossible to stop when on song.
JUSTIN ISAAC (Moorabbin)
While playing predominantly through the midfield, the former Hampton star’s ability to drift forward and snare goals (27 in 18 games) couldn’t be overlooked. A week in, week out contributor in a disappointing season for the Roos.
[caption id="attachment_16437" align="aligncenter" width="559"]
Russell Robertson (right) booted the winning goal in this year's Grand Final.[/caption]
FOLLOWERS
EAMON HANNEY (South Yarra)
A brilliant season for the consistent Yarras big man. A very mobile and evasive ruckman, Hanney uses his athleticism to great effect and contributes around the ground. Also booted 14 goals for the year.
DANIEL BATSON (Endeavour Hills)
The silky-skilled midfielder had a stunning breakout season, and was one of the main factors behind the club’s surge up the ladder. A genuine ball magnet that oozes class.
PHIL WARD (Hallam)
The solidly-built onballer not only uses his strong frame to win plenty of contested ball, but has plenty of polish on the outside as well. Loves to work his way forward and kick goals, booting 32 for the year. A remarkable season.
[caption id="attachment_16433" align="aligncenter" width="337"]
Star Hawk Phil Ward has had a stellar season.[/caption]
INTERCHANGE
ENAYTE SAMADI (Doveton Eagles)
Another solid goal-kicking mid/forward, Samadi is strong as an Ox, wins his own footy and hits the scoreboard. 43 goals for the season was a great return, with Samadi saving his best performances for September.
MICHAEL SPOHN (Black Rock)
The ever-improving American had his best season to date, contributing in a variety of roles. Outstanding in the ruck, Buddy also starred around the ground and particularly in the back half.
KIERON FINLAYSON (South Yarra)
Another player that was rarely missing from his side’s best each week. Finlayson has pace to burn, runs all day and wins plenty of the footy.
TYLER NEAL (Carrum Patterson Lakes)
A picture of consistency, Neal was one of the shining lights in a difficult season for the Lions alongside his skipper Mauracher. Played all 18 games and booted 33 goals – a terrific return in a struggling side.
[caption id="attachment_15543" align="aligncenter" width="375"]
Black Rock's Buddy Spohn has improved out of sight.[/caption]
COACH
ROBERT DIPPER (Endeavour Hills)
Previously the Falcons’ Under 19 coach, Dipper took the reins of the senior team at the 11th hour and enjoyed remarkable success in his first season in charge. Led the side to its maiden finals series before falling agonisingly short of the premiership. A finalist in the AFL Victoria Inner Southern Region Coach of the Year award.
[caption id="attachment_16439" align="aligncenter" width="273"]
Rob Dipper led the Falcons to a maiden Grand Final in his first season in charge.[/caption]
