LTUFC Presentation Night 2019

Friday night witnessed La Trobe University Football Club officially conclude its 2019 season with Presentation Night held in the club’s new function room.

We kicked off our evening acknowledging the milestones throughout the season which included 50 club games for Lachlan Bence, Billy Higgins and Sophie Rodier. Alain Baillie becoming the 40^th player to reach 100 club games and women’s games record holder Samantha Greene becoming the 19^th player and the first women’s player to reach 150 club games. We followed with an acknowledgement to all our volunteers: our Committee, Assistant Coaches; Alyssa Black, Joe Callander, Scott Coghill and David Huffer, Team Managers; James Billings, Natalie Cappelletti, Kimberley Nash and Odi Robertson, and our Club Umpires; Jake Burgess and Charly Craine.

Our U19 Men were the first team awards for the evening with U19 Co-Captain Brad Tremellen presenting Will Luhrs with the Best Team Player Award voted by his peers. Tate Tregea-Copeland was awarded the Coaches Award for his outstanding commitment to the team and the way he constantly improved throughout the season often playing a selfless role down back. The U19 Men Leading Goal Kicker Award went to Will Luhrs who kicked a total of 15 goals in 10 games which was a quarter of the team’s goals kicked for the season. Michelle Hensel presented the Braedon Hensel U19 Men’s Best and Fairest Trophy to the 2019 winner Calvin Ross, Calvin had a remarkable first season at the club playing nine games in the U19’s and nine games in the seniors taking out the U19 Men Best and Fairest with 27 votes and also finishing eighth in the Senior Men Best and Fairest polling 16 votes. Ed Fleming was awarded the U19 Men Best and Fairest Runner-Up with a sensational season in the U19’s finishing just two votes shy of top honours on 25 votes from 10 games. While our U19 Men may not have gotten as many wins this season as they would have liked the future looks bright for these young Trobers with already 14 of this seasons U19’s having a taste of senior footy at the club.

Our Reserve Men followed a dinner break with the Best Team Player Award going to our Reserve Men Captain Alex Hodgson. Our Reserve Men Coaches Award was presented to Jackson Ferguson for his exceptional on and off field selflessness towards his teammates and his solid performances early in the season that set a tone for what would be a strong finals campaign for the team. Jaryd Coghill won the Reserve Men Leading Goal Kicker Award with 30 goals from 10 games playing when he wasn’t coaching the Senior Women. Our Reserve Co-Coach Edward Buffon had the honour of presenting his Co-Coach and good mate Jake Lasslett with the 2019 Reserve Men Best and Fairest Trophy after Jake’s stellar season leading the troops and polling 37 votes from 18 games. Brett Coghill was awarded the Reserve Men Best and Fairest Runner-Up Award after polling 33 votes in just 10 games in a dominate backend of the season.

Our John Dumaresq Best Club Person honours for 2019 was awarded to Jackson Ferguson. Jackson received this award for his off-field contributions towards the Club this season as he volunteered as the Club Photographer and did a large part of the Club’s social media while always getting around game day, trainings and club function with great commitment to our Club.

Our Senior Women were next with Senior Women Captain Kate Bond presenting Teresa D’Angelo with the Best Team Player Award voted by her peers. Senior Women’s Coach Jaryd Coghill presented his Coaches Award to first-year player Kyaa Davis for her exceptional improvement throughout the season. Samantha Greene was awarded the Senior Women Leading Goal Kicker Award for the 11^th consecutive season with 20 goals in 14 games. Kate Bond won her third consecutive Jess Smith Senior Women Best and Fairest Trophy honours with another standout season polling 36 votes in 12 games. For the second year running Steph Castagnini was awarded the Senior Women Best and Fairest Runner-Up Award just falling short with 31 votes in 13 games as a pivotal member of the women’s team.

Our Senior Men followed a dessert break with Senior Men Captain Tom Mooney presenting Andy Castles with the Best Team Player Award voted by his peers. Fedor Balabanov received the Coaches Award for his determination to improve his game all season. First-year player Bailey Zimmerman was awarded the David Morgan Senior Men Leading Goal Kicker Trophy honours after kicking 35 goals in 16 games. The Tony Sheehan Senior Men Best and Fairest Trophy was awarded to Vice-Captain Andy Castles who polled 45 votes in 19 games in a dominate season. Ricky Nolan took out the Senior Men Best and Fairest Runner-Up Award with 35 votes in 16 games, while he also finished runner-up in the leading goal kicking with 25 goals.

Our Bob Segrave Trophy for outstanding service to the Club over a significant period was awarded to Andrew Sutherland. Andrew received this award for his exceptional service over many decades as a player, coach, volunteer and current committee member. 

The La Trobe University Football Club would like to thank all its members and supporters for a terrific 2019 season and look forward to continuing the momentum into the next season after a much deserved break before pre-season. A special thank you to Bread and Butta for catering the evening and our club dinners throughout the season.

Click Here for photos from the night.