PRESENTATION NIGHT

WESTERN MAGPIES CELEBRATE 2015 SEASON

The Western Magpies celebrated a successful season at the club's Presentation Night last Saturday.

The evening commenced with club President Chris Dennis outlining the highlights of the season:

* First Grade finishing second on the ladder and playing finals football in the QAFL (only the second time Sherwood/WMAFC have played in QAFL Finals series; 

* Lighting upgrade at the ground;

* the club's second Grogan medallist in Cal Carseldine, joint the legendary Bill Peirce;

* 4 players named in the QAFL Team of the Year;

* Peter McClennan named as the QAFL Administrator of the Year;

* The Woodsman returning to Chelmer for home matches due to lighting upgrade;

* Sherwood Under 17s being undefeated Premiers--the future is bright. 

CLUBMEN OF THE YEAR

The club awarded both Richard Davis and President Chris Dennis the prestigious Clubman of the Year Award.

Richard Davis was the Reserves Team Manager and attended training and match days to ensure all was in order for the Reserves. He does not come from an AFL background but when his son started playing junior football he embraced the game and the club and became involvewhich he continued to do this year in an unfashionable but absolutely vital role. He also ran water on match day then helped out as well with the First Grade when asked.  

Chris Dennis has steered the club into the QAFL and has been instrumental in the growth of the club, especially with the new clubrooms last year and the lighting upgrade this year. He has helped re-build the Board to be a strong guiding influence in the regeneration of the club and he is a key link between the Junior and Senior sections of the club. The Western Magpies brand is now in the top level of QAFL football and Chris has been a major influence on the rise of the club up the QAFL ladder, both on and off the field. 

RUSSELL GREEN COACH of the YEAR AWARD

The Russell Green Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year was awarded to Brydon Morgan, the First Grade Assistant Coach with added responsibility for the midfield rotations.

In his first year at the club he was instrumental in the Pies midfield becoming a powerful unit which gave the Pies parity at the contest and in many matches the midfield dominated. This area of improvement was a significant  factor in the Pies finishing second on the ladder and he was chuffed when Callum Carseldine won the Grogan Medal.

Unfortunately for the Magpies, Brydon has accepted a coaching role at Aspley in the NEAFL and will not be at the Magpies next season, which is a big loss to the club.

The Western Magpies wish him all the best as he departs for an opportunity to be involved at NEAFL level.

Making the decision to leave easier is that Brydon lives on the north side so is closer to Aspley than Chelmer.

Russell Green was a much loved player then much respected junior coach and team manager at Sherwood who was also a gentleman in every sense of the word. He passed away suddenly at a young age (early 50s) after a short illness with cancer. At the time his passing devastated his family, his friends and the club. 

The award was presented by current player and Russell's son Matt Green. 

THANKS TO SUPPORT PERSONNEL

Club president Chris Dennis joined co-captains Lachlan Woods and Callum Carseldine in thanking the club's support staff for their efforts in ensuring the playersstayed fit and also helped in the club's rise up the QAFL ladder.

Team Mangers Tony McDonald, Richard Davis and Phil Kelemen were tireless all year. All three were at training during the week then were at the football well before play started and well after play finished with packing gear and game day administration to ensure all was in order for the players to perform at their best.

Regular water carrier Jeff Carseldine was recognised as he did this unsung job every week. 

Exercise physiologist and fitness adviser James Nightingale was singled out for special praise in monitoring player injuries and well being to ensure they performed at their best on the weekends.

Joshua Shea attended most matches and most training nights as the club chiropractorbut his general medical knowledgewas also invaluable in assessing injured players.  Club physiotherapist Christina Hart was also an integral part of the injury management team and her input was always invaluable as was that of Peter Wells as consultant physiotherapist.

Dr Greg Thompson liaised closely with all medical staff and provided valuable medical care and assessments on game day as well as being quite busy with suturing lacerations suffered by players during matches.

The club was certainly blessed to have a comprehensive medical team available at training and on game day.