League Medals
THE ELLIS MEDAL
DIVISION 1 SENIOR BEST & FAIREST
The medal is named after Kingsley Ellis and is awarded to the Best and Fairest player in the Division 1 Senior competition. The Ellis Medal acknowledges the contribution made to community football by Kingsley Ellis for his outstanding service to the SFNL. After a distinguished playing career in the Federal Football League, Ellis served as the SFNL’s Executive Manager from 2001 to 2004, and returned as Commercial Manager between 2007 and 2011. Ellis was inducted into the SFNL Hall of Fame in 2016.
THE BENNETT MEDAL
DIVISION 2 SENIOR BEST & FAIREST
The medal is named after John Bennett and is awarded to the Best and Fairest player in the Division 2 Senior competition. Bennett was arguably the best player to grace the SFNL. He was classy, strong, skilful and a true leader. Whether playing out of the goal square or in the thick of the action, Bennett stood out as a powerhouse. He combined coaching and playing with East Brighton in the SFNL from 1992-99 and won the club’s B&F in its 1993 Division 1 premiership year. After two years away from football, Bennett returned as coach of Heatherton, leading the club to two Division 2 premierships in 2006 and 2009, before retiring from the role after the 2010 season. Bennett remains at the club, currently serving as President, as has been a long-time member of the SFNL Media team.
THE FLACK MEDAL
DIVISION 3 SENIOR BEST & FAIREST
The medal is named after Ryan Flack and is awarded to the Best and Fairest player in the Division 3 Senior competition. Flack is known as the players’ player, a fierce competitor who never flinches on the battlefield. With his raking kick, Flack is always dangerous whether playing in the midfield or up forward. He coached Chelsea Heights to Division 1 grand finals in 2009 and 2010 and won the Division 1 Best & Fairest in 2010. Ryan stood aside from the role following the 2011 season after seven years at the helm. He suffered a neck injury in 2011, but fought back to play a part in another Heighters’ grand final side in 2012.
THE SPARROW MEDAL
UNDER 19 BEST & FAIREST
The medal is named after the late Phil Sparrow and awarded to the Best and Fairest in the Under 19 competition and acknowledges the contribution he made to youth community football. Sparrow recruited and built a new Under 18 team for Cheltenham Football Club in the lead-up to the 2007 season, where he coached Cheltenham Colts to back-to-back premierships in 2007 and 2008. Sparrow also provided valuable support to the SFNL and other clubs in the all-important first few years as the League re-established the Under 19 competition following a six-year hiatus.
THE MENEILLY MEDAL
DIVISION 1, 2, 3 & 4 SENIOR GRAND FINAL – BEST ON GROUND
The medal is named after Jim Meneilly and is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in all senior-grade Grand Finals. The late Jim Meneilly, whose early years in football were spent with Bentleigh, was a long time Board Member of the Eastern Suburbs Churches Football Association and served seven years as President, assisting the progression of the competition. A friend to all concerned with his willingness to listen and readiness to guide, Meneilly was always available to assist with any problem and was a much respected person throughout the football fraternity far and wide. A widely respected and hugely influential figure in community football during the 1970’s and 80’s, Meneilly was an inaugural inductee into the SFNL Hall of Fame in 2015.
THE MALCOLM MEDAL
DIVISION 1 RESERVE GRAND FINAL – BEST ON GROUND
The medal is named after Dennis Malcolm and is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in the Division 1 Reserve Grand Final. Malcolm held the position of Treasurer with the South East Suburban Football League from 1969 through to 1992 and was awarded life membership of the Southern Football League in 1997. He was also inducted into the SFNL Hall of Fame in 2015.
THE YEOMANS MEDAL
DIVISION 2 RESERVE GRAND FINAL – BEST ON GROUND
The medal is named after Robert Yeomans and is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in the Division 2 Reserve Grand Final. The Yeomans Medal is struck in honour of the contribution made by Yeomans with the former Eastern Suburban Churches Football Association and early years of the Southern Football Netball League. Bob is a Life member and is supported by his wife Shirley who was honoured with life membership of the SFNL in 1999.
THE LE LIEVRE MEDAL
DIVISION 3 RESERVE GRAND FINAL – BEST ON GROUND
The medal is named after Stan Le Lievre and is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in the Division 3 Reserve Grand Final. The Le Lievre Medal acknowledges the contribution made to community football by the late Stan Le Lievre as President of the South East Suburban Football League between 1983 – 1991.
THE BARNES MEDAL
UNDER 19 GRAND FINAL – BEST ON GROUND
The medal is named after Stephen Barnes and is awarded to the player adjudged best on ground in the Under 19 Grand Final. The Barnes Medal acknowledges the contribution made to community football by the Barnes family and in particularly Stephen for the vital role he played in resurrecting the Under 19 competition in 2008. Barnes has served on the Board of the SFNL and as part of the SFNL Media team. He was awarded life membership to the SFNL in 2010, and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
THE LLOYD-GRIFFITHS MEDAL
THIRDS GRAND FINAL – BEST ON GROUND
The medal is named after Emrys Lloyd-Griffiths and awarded to the best player in the Thirds Grand Final. The Lloyd- Griffiths Medal acknowledges the long-standing contributions made to community football by Emrys Lloyd-Griffiths, and in particular his outstanding service to finals football. Lloyd-Griffiths continues to assist the League as Ground Manager at SFNL finals matches, and was awarded life membership to the SFNL in 2008.
