Tara Murray
Albanvale’s Liam Montrose didn’t think he played enough games to be in contention for the Western Region Football League division 3 best and fairest medal.
Even when he was invited to the awards night, he thought that he had only finished in the top five.
So when he was announced the winner, Montrose was left in shock.
Montrose finished on 17 votes, three votes clear of teammate Reece Duffield.
Braybrook’s Nicholas Papakalodoukas was a further vote back in third, while Brookers premiership captain Aidan O’Rafferty finished fourth.
Montrose said it took a while for it to settle in that he had won.
“I was shaking for half an hour afterwards,” he said.
“I was shocked, I had missed a few games during the year, so I didn’t think I had a chance.
“I was lucky enough to get enough goals through the middle. It’s pretty overwhelming to have won it.”
For Montrose, his first season at Albanvale was a new experience. Not only was he at a new club, he was stepping into senior football for the first time.
He was unsure how he would go at this level.
“To be honest I was a little bit scared,” he said. “I’m not the biggest kid going around.
“I thought one big hip and shoulder would be the end of me. I’m a lot more confident playing senior football now.”
Montrose finished third in the league goal kicking with 78 goals, forming a one-two punch with Nathan Johnson, who finished fourth in the goal kicking.
He said this year would be a good starting point for his senior football career.
For Montrose it was a disappointing end to the season, both personally and as a team.
He missed the side’s preliminary final against Braybrook with injury.
The Cobras lost that match to be knocked out in straight sets.
“It was pretty disappointing,” Montrose said. “It was really hard watching on the side lines.
“We’ll look to go out there next year and be better.”
Werribee Districts’ Dillon Viojo-Rainbow was named the winner of the Barry Priest Medal, for the best player in division 1.
He finished two votes clear of Caroline Springs’ Mitchell Bongiovanni with Altona’s Josh Bench one vote further back.
Vijio-Rainbow said he had no idea that he would be in contention for the medal until the last couple of rounds.
He said for him it was one of his best seasons in recent times.
“It’s been one of my better years since returning from the VFL,” he said. “I’m just going out and playing footy now and stringing games together this year.
“For me, I’m just enjoying football. I’m loving playing football like when I was 13, 14.”
Four Caroline Springs players finished in the top 10 with Liam Read, Max Tessari and Ryan Allan also polling well.
Lakers’ Dylan Laurie was named male rookie of the year.
