Chris Yeend
The Riddell District Football Netball League held its annual Bowen and Ryan Medal presentation night at the Lakeside Reception Centre in Taylors Lakes on Wednesday. More than 330 people enjoyed the great night with comedian Des Dowling and Collingwood football and coaching strategist Rodney Eade as special guests. Diggers Rest's Cam Woods stole the show with a thrilling one-vote victory over Sunbury Kangaroos youngster Tierone Cuffe to take home the Bowen Medal as the best senior footballer, while Broadford's Sarah Douglas took home the Ryan Medal for best netballer ahead of two-time Romsey premiership captain Bec Locker.
Former Craigieburn onballer Cam Woods was excited to win the award, especially given that he had missed a handful of games late in the season due to injury.
"It's a pretty good feeling right now, we've still got the finals to go through and we'll see if we can improve and get the ultimate award at the end of the season," Woods said.
He said he has really enjoyed his time at Diggers Rest since crossing to the club at the start of the season from a struggling Craigieburn team in the Essendon District Football League.
"The whole club is unbelievable, the atmosphere is a whole lot different to where I came from," Woods said.
The nuggety onballer has worked alongside two outstanding ruckman throughout the year. He said that Craig Thompson has been great to rove from and enjoys working to Shane Marchewka in the middle.
"Chewy (Marchewka) asks where I want the ball and he pretty much puts it there every time, you can't ask for much more than that."
Woods expressed the great excitement in the club with its youth and the calibre of players such as Dylan Brosnan who has a great future at senior level at half-forward. Woods said that Brosnan has played several games in the seniors while playing Under 18s this year. He admires captain Shaun Sims who is a great leader at the club.
"He is a good captain, a good mate and I'm going to stick with these blokes for a fair while now," Woods said, "he's taught me a bit and I'm looking forward to another season with him as captain."
Woods is now looking towards tomorrow's preliminary final clash with Romsey at the Tony Clarke Reserve.
Matthews Medal winner and runner-up in the Bowen Medal Tierone Cuffe was also proud to win an award.
"I was honestly, dead-set really shocked, I was really nervous but I feel really good about being runner-up," Cuffe said, "Woodsy (Cam Woods) is a good bloke and congratulations to him."
Cuffe said that he felt that last season was better than last year for him as a player and he wants to continue to improve his game and keep going from here.
Sarah Douglas was a deserved winner of the Ryan Medal ahead of Romsey star Bec Locker. She has been with Broadford over the last three years and enjoys being part of the team.
"I'm enjoying the competition, it's really fun and a great group of girls," Douglas said, "this season has been a big improvement for me personally and the team."
"I'm very honoured to win the award."
In other awards, Woodend/Hesket took home the Buffalo Sports Club of the year award. It was a great achievement from the club that has worked hard on and off the field. They won the award ahead of Macedon and Diggers Rest.
"We're all pretty proud to get it back (winner of the award in recent seasons) and we're all going to work hard for next year," Woodend/Hesket Football Netball Club backman and Rising Star nominee Max Ambler said.
RDFL junior development coordinator Rob Beatson was awarded the first-ever Charlie Watson 'Unsung Hero' award for his efforts in junior football.
The RDFL was very happy with how the night unfolded and it was a great success given the administration at the start of the year.
"It's good to put on the night for people in reward for their season," Toby Boyle said on the night, "we've done a power of work to get it going, it's hard work and it has its rewards."
Last Modified on 14/09/2012 11:34