South Launceston Football Club Half Forward, Thane Bardenhagen, has won the Matthew Richardson Medal after a stellar season in the RACT Insurance State League.
Awarded to the Rookie of the Year, players eligible for the Matthew Richardson Medal must be under 23 years of age, have played less than 20 games at the commencement of the season and in no more than two years of senior football.
Bardenhagen began his senior football career at the Lilydale Football Club in the North East Football Union as a sixteen year old and immediately showed his football potential by winning his club and competition best and fairest.
He enjoyed multiple premierships with Lilydale before taking the step up to the highest level of competition in Tasmania.
Bardenhagen is currently in his second foray into State League football having spent time previously with the North Launceston Football Club in 2011, Lilydale Football Club in 2012 before joining up with South Launceston in 2013.
Contributing 28 goals along with leading the disposal count for the Bulldogs in the home and away season, he has had an outstanding year in the State League.
Bardenhagen is seen as a perfectionist amongst his coaches and playing peers when it comes to his training ethic, being one of only two players to complete every single session of pre-season with South Launceston and his attendance and performance at training has also been 100% throughout the course of the season.
South Launceston Football Club's Head Coach, Mitchell Thorp, praised Bardenhagen for his courage to test himself as an individual and footballer at the highest level for the second time.
“Thane’s professionalism and commitment to the South Launceston Football Club has been nothing short of outstanding.
"Thane’s ability to play multiple positions on any given day along with the ability to read the game as a mid-fielder or forward has significantly contributed to our on-field success in 2013", Thorp said.
“I have no doubt that Thane will be one of the top players in the TSL in future years and I am of the strong belief he will represent the TSL in representative football in the very near future”.
RACT Insurance State League General Manager, Shaun Young, congratulated Bardenhagen for his outstanding year and winning the award that recognises one of Tasmania’s greatest footballers, former Richmond star Matthew Richardson.
“The Matthew Richardson Medal is named after one of Tasmania’s modern day greats and it is great recognition for Thane to receive the medal for his outstanding year in the State League.
"Thane’s achievement is inspirational for those players that have either previously attempted or want to attempt TSL football”, Young said.
Last Modified on 03/09/2013 13:41