PEEL Thunder midfielder Ben Howlett capped off a stellar season when he was named as the fairest and best player at the club’s awards presentation night at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre last Friday night.
After consistent eye catching performances, even in losing games, the 20-year-old was the pre-count favourite to win his first Dudley Tuckey medal.
Named after the late club patron, the medal was presented by Dudley’s son Jim to Howlett who polled 176 votes to win from fellow midfielders Simon Rosa (115 votes) and Rory O’Brien (111 votes).
The tough, in-an-under centre man played in all of Thunder’s 20 games this season and polled votes in 16 of those.
He attracted the maximum 18 votes in rounds one, 12, 13 and 19 and topped the votes from rounds 19 to 23.
But after round five it was injury plagued captain Daniel Haines who led the count on 52 votes, with ruckman/utility Danny Chartres second on 46 votes followed by Howlett (30 votes) and O’Brien (26).
Chartres continued to poll well in the next five rounds to lead the count on 56 from Haines (54), McLeod (51), Rosa (49) and O’Brien (47).
From rounds 11 to 16 Howlett made his charge, collecting 67 votes to take the lead with a total of 102 with Rosa in second on 90 and O’Brien third on 81.
Howlett went on to poll in five of the last six rounds to claim the medal.
After the count the youngster from Donnybrook was still in shock.
“I knew I had an alright season but others had great seasons like Danny Chartres, Rory O’Brien and Simon Rosa who are all deserved winners,” he said.
“It’s a great honour and I’d like to thank all our supporters because without them we wouldn’t be here.”
Howlett also paid tribute to outgoing coach Chris Waterman who resigned after the final match of the season.
“I’ve learnt loads from Muddy (Waterman); you can’t get much better than him.”
Having to travel each week from the South West Howlett also acknowledged his Peel teammates.
“The players are my best mates and you make it all worthwhile to keep coming up to play.”
Howlett is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Dudley Tuckey medallist Hayden Ballantyne and get drafted into the AFL.
The latest win should further boost his chances of being picked up in the AFL national draft on November 26.
“If it happens it happen,” he said.
“But at the moment I am a required player at Peel Thunder and I look forward to next year and sharing in some success.”
In other awards Shaun Crane was named as the colts player’s player, the leadership award went to Rhett Mason, Phillip Pohlenz-Saw placed third in the colt’s fairest and best count with 101 votes, second was Harley Bennell on 107 votes and the runaway winner on 143 votes was 17-year-old Kieran Butcher.
The Tom Stone medal for the player who shows outstanding character and achievement to overcome adversity went to Justin Baker and Anthony Morabito won the Arthur Marshall Young Player of the Year award.
Kain Robin’s 33 goals for the season were enough for him to win the club’s leading goal kicker award and Rod Brown was named best club person.
Rockingham product Cailin Timbrell won the Ball Family Medal for the reserves fairest and best player on 128 votes, ahead of runner-up Brad Green on 91 votes and John New (86 votes).
Club games record holder Brandon Hill, who retired at the end of the season, was recognised.
He played 132 league games for Peel.
The Mandurah Mail Player’s Player award is given to the player who receives the most votes from his teammates and vice captain Simon Rosa was this year’s popular choice.
At the end of the season players vote for a teammate who demonstrates the highest level of consistent football, punctuality to games, training and club functions, professionalism, respect to others and leadership.
Recruited from the Bendigo Bombers, Rosa played two seasons at Peel.
At the end of the season the 26-year-old told the club he wanted to return to Victoria.
His wife Kristy is expecting their first child and they want to be closer to family.
Already on his way back in Victoria, Rosa was not present to receive the award last Friday night; captain Daniel Haines accepted on his behalf.
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