William Buck Premier Men’s 2024 Club Best & Fairests

With the Best & Fairest Awards handed out for another year, here’s who took home their club’s top individual award across the Premier Men’s competition in 2024:

OLD SCOTCH:

1. Charlie Cormack
2. James Tarrant
3. Isaac Conway
4. Aidan Franetic
5. Jack Brown

It was the perfect premiership year for Charlie Cormack and James Tarrant, who also received Team of the Year selection, capped off by their strong polling on Best & Fairest night.

Cormack’s intercept game was elite (as evidenced by his impact early in the Grand Final) and only Ben Hays had the ball in his hands more often for the Cards this season as Charlie averaged 23 disposals, 7 intercept possessions and 6 Rebound 50s. His ability to turn defence into attack was critical as Old Scotch broke their 46-year premiership drought.

Tarrant’s versatility was highlighted by him being named as a forward in the 2024 Team of the Year after being selected as a defender in 2023. His switch to the other end of the ground paid dividends in 2024 as he proved a constant headache for opposition defenders, ranking 3^rd for Contested Marks on his way to an average of 17 disposals, 5 marks, 3 Inside 50s and 25 goals for the season.

Old Scotch timed their run to perfection this season, chasing down the Tonners & SKOB to pass them in September and hoist the silverware. They’ll have a target on their back in 2025 as opposition coaches put summer time & energy into breaking down their system and personnel.

OLD BRIGHTON:

1. Harry Hill
2. Quinton Montanaro
3. Hamish Dick & Campbell Tweedie
4. Tom Fisher & Nick Pavlou

Despite the disappointing finish to 2024, the future looks bright for the Tonners, given they won the Holmesglen U19 Premier flag this year plus Brighton Grammar School won the APS Premiership, so there will be promising young talent available to deepen their Senior pool even further in 2025.

Could there be another Jonah Campigli waiting in the wings? A player who begins their season in the Under 19s and rises up to become a key factor in the senior team, collecting the VAFA Rising Star Award along the way? Coach Marcel Bruin will certainly hope so!

Old Brighton was the benchmark team all season and they know that one off day against a red-hot Cardinals was all that stood between them and a breakthrough first top-flight premiership. If they can ‘keep the band together’ again in 2025, they once again loom as a team to beat, with such depth of quality spread evenly across all lines.

Harry Hill led them admirably from the front, enjoying another brilliant season with his ball-winning ability and leadership as good as any in Premier Men’s. He was a worthy Captain in the Team of the Year, ranking Top 3 in the comp for Contested Possessions, Ground Ball Gets, Loose Ball Gets, Tackles, Inside 50s & Score Involvements.

ST KEVIN’S:

1. Billy Coates
2. Jack Andriske
3. Luke Winter

SKOB missed the Grand Final for the first time since 2016 after a uniquely challenging campaign on & off the field that will surely reinforce their resolve to reclaim the title even further after falling short to eventual premiers Old Scotch on Preliminary Final Day.

Ruck Billy Coates claimed the Jack Douglas Medal as club Best & Fairest for the second time in the year in which he also brought up his 200^th game for SKOB and represented the Big V with distinction. He averaged 21 Disposals, 15 Contested Possessions, 49 hit outs and 9 clearances per game in a super campaign.

Jack Andriske was a consistent performer all season, polling Coaches’ Votes in 10 of his 20 games this season. His is a game based on hard work and getting his job done and he did it in style in 2024, ranking 2^nd at the club for Marks, Contested Marks, Intercept Marks, Uncontested Marks, Intercept Possessions and Spoils, and 3^rd for Rebound 50s, D50 Tackles and One Percenters.

Still just 23 years of age, he’s entering his prime and has plenty of great footy ahead of him.

Luke Winter had a dominant season as the #1 Contested player in Premier Men’s, leading the competition in Contested Possessions, Ground Ball Gets, Hard Ball Gets & Clearances.

He averaged 26 disposals per game as SKOB’s primary ball-winner, leading the club in Disposals, Clearances, Contested Possessions, Hard Ball Gets, Loose Gets, Ground Ball Gets, Handballs & Midfield Tackles.

COLLEGIANS:

1. Jasper Davy
2. Nathan Boucher
3. Josh Walker
4. Will Pewtress
5. Scott Beilby

The 2023 champions were never quite on pace with the leading pack in 2024 yet still found a way to sneak into the Final 4 by winning 4 of their last 5.

The Lions had a very different line-up in Jordie McKenzie’s first year as coach, due to a combination of 2023 post-flag retirements then crippling injuries that saw plenty of new faces (and a couple of older ones) gain valuable experience that will hold them in good stead for the future.

One of those youngsters – Jasper Davy – went on to win the Best & Fairest after a stellar year that also saw him play in the Big V Under 19 Showcase game. Averaging 18 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 7 intercept possessions, 6 marks and 4 Rebound 50s, he grew in stature as a key member of the Lions’ much-vaunted intercept/rebound defensive unit.

Nathan Boucher also enjoyed a superb campaign that ultimately saw him earn Big V & Team of the Year selection on the wing. His gut-running saw him lead the way for Collegians in Disposals (av.27), Kicks & Uncontested Marks.

OLD XAVERIANS:

1. Alec Spralja
2. Marcus Stavrou
3. Sam Fisher
4. Alex Trigar & Sam Ralph

2024 turned out to be a frustrating season for Old Xavs, who proved on multiple occasions that their best footy was good enough to challenge anyone.

But a couple of late season stumbles ultimately proved costly as they narrowly missed a finals series that they would have given themselves every chance of doing some damage in. They’ll be hungry to make amends in 2025 and with former Collingwood VFL captain Campbell Lane committing full-time to Xavs, they are going to have some serious weaponry all across the park.

It was little surprise that the Big 3 of the Xavs’ midfield occupied the podium come Best & Fairest night.

Alec Spralja sat alongside SKOB Billy Coates as the two premier ruckmen of the competition and both made it into the Team of the Year.

Alec was the League-leader for Hits Outs to Advantage, but it was his ability to have an impact once the ball hit the deck that made him a standout this season. Spralja was a clearance beast, ranked 2^nd overall for Clearances and #1 for Ball-Up Clearances and Gathers.

Ranked #3 for Contested Possessions, Handballs and One-Percenters (including #1 for Knock-Ons) he was effectively two players in one – a dominant ruck in the air and a dominant inside mid on the ground.

He combined beautifully with dynamic duo Marcus Stavrou and Sam Fisher and this core always ensures that Xavs are in the game around the stoppages. Stavrou picked up a 4^th Team of the Year award, while Fisher won the Woodrow Medal as the League’s Best & Fairest.

UNIVERSITY BLUES:

1. Martin Gleeson
2. Nic Conway
3. James Stewart
4. Mitch Taylor
5. Tom Cutler

Marty Gleeson won his third consecutive Best & Fairest, something that hasn’t been done at Uni Blues since VAFA champion Michael Yeoh won 3 in a row in the 1980s.

Coach Guy Martyn has called time on his coaching tenure with the Blues after three seasons at the helm. Guy led the club through the challenging 2022 season, got the team within a kick of the 2023 Grand Final and this year had to deal with a crippling injury list that ultimately took its toll.

Matt Smith has been appointed senior coach for 2025 after a successful VFL career at Collingwood (where he rose to the vice-captaincy) and more recently with local powerhouse Heidelberg as a playing assistant coach.

He joined the Blues as a player in 2024 but unfortunately sustained a season-ending knee injury in his very first contest of the season and has decided to hang up the boots to focus his energies into coaching.

UNIVERSITY BLACKS:

1. Henry Bennett
2. Campbell Moorfield
3. James Clark
4. Lachlan Knight
5. Ben Stephenson

2024 turned out to be a late scramble for survival for Blacks after they slipped to 3-10 by mid-season and found themselves in the race to avoid relegation.

Fortunately for Dale Bower’s team, they dug deep and found some form down the stretch, winning 4 of their last 5 (including gritty spirited victories over Xavs & SKOB) to finish the season on a high and with grounds for optimism in 2025.

Henry Bennett claimed Uni Blacks’ B&F for the first time, pipping Cam Moorfield in a tight race for the Cordner Medal. Henry has been a reliable contributor game after game, year after year, making for a very popular win.

Formerly a reliable lockdown defender, Henry was switched onto the ball early in 2024 due to injuries and had a huge impact with his ferocious attack on the footy and classy use thereafter. He averaged 20 disposals per game, with 12 of those contested, along with 8 Ground Ball Gets, 5 tackles & 4 Inside 50s.

Campbell Moorfield earned a place in the Team of the Year after a superb season that saw him clearly lead the League for Rebound 50s, rank 2^nd for Contested Marks and Intercept Marks, and 3^rd for Effective Disposals (av. 26).

ST BERNARD’S:

1. Ben Overman
2. Charlie Vague
3. Luke Said
4. Michael Caven
5. Mitch Hughes

Ben Overman enjoyed an excellent season for the Snowdogs, averaging 20 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 6 intercept possessions and 4 Inside 50s per game to collect a well-deserved Best & Fairest.

Charlie Vague made the Team of the Year after an eye-catching campaign that saw him ranked Top 10 in the League for Contested Possessions, Centre Clearances, Inside 50s, Goal Assists, Tackles & Pressure Acts.

Averaging 24 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 7 tackles, 7 clearances and 4 Inside 50s to go with his 16 goals, he proved himself to be one of the most versatile players in the competition, capable of impacting both defensively and offensively.

Overall, it was Mission Accomplished for the Snowdogs in 2024 as they avoided relegation. But, more than that, they proved to be worthy competitors in the top tier, posting several eye-catching performances (despite a crippling injury list) that suggest they could be a team to watch in 2025 if they can get a better run on the injury front.

Driven by a hungry senior core that has committed to sticking together (with just the retirement of Declan Kennedy to this point), they now know they’re good enough to match it with the best teams in Premier Men’s and will be keen to take that next step.

The inclusion of ex-Carlton player Matthew Watson is a massive boost. Nephew of coach Steve Alessio (and cousin of Luca), he will add size and power as the big key forward the Dogs have been looking for.

And with around 25 of their Under 19s players moving up to senior ranks, St Bernard’s will have some genuine depth to help them navigate the rigours of a long, gruelling Premier Men’s season.

FITZROY:

1. Darcy Lowrie
2. Nathan Ligris
3. Rhys Seakins & Charlie Faubel
4. Anthony Johnson

Darcy Lowrie’s solid all-around season was rewarded with his club’s highest individual award. His team-first approach was clearly appreciated by his coaches – internally, he ranked #1 for One Percenters, Spoils, Blocks & D50 Tackles, #2 for Team Involvements, Intercept Marks & Intercept Possessions, #3 for Contested Marks & Effective Handballs.

It’s great to see a selfless, hard-working player recognised so publicly by his team and perfectly reflects Fitzroy’s values.

Only one player (Ben Harding) had more of the football than Nathan Ligris in Premier Men’s this season and Ligris was rightly rewarded with Team of the Year selection after averaging 32 disposals (including 25 kicks), 5 marks, 9 intercept possessions and 9 Rebound 50s.

Ranked #1 for Handball Receives, his relentless run and drive got the Roys moving out of the back half as he ranked #2 for Rebounds 50s (behind Blacks’ Rebound King Campbell Moorfield).

Despite returning to Premier B in 2025, there’s no doubt that the Roys made forward progress in 2024, proving they have what it takes to hang with the big dogs in Premier Men’s, rising to the challenge late to win 3 of their last 4 matches on the way to 5 victories for the season.

Plenty of great lessons will be taken into Premier B next season, with stability & continuity the key – hence their delight at re-signing their two senior coaches, Travis Ronaldson (Men’s) & Nathan Jumeau (Women’s).

OLD MELBURNIANS:

1. Ben Harding & Will Nichols
2. Ned Nichols
3. Sam Laube
4. Jackson Paine

Ben Harding & Will Nichols shared the top gong at OMs this season – Harding was the competition’s leading ball-magnet, averaging 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions and 7 clearances, while Will Nichols led the competition for Pressure Acts & Goal Assists.

Harding and both the Nichols boys were magnificent all season long, often fighting the good fight against the odds, while Sam Laube booted 30 goals from limited opportunities and earned himself a place in the Team of the Year.

2024 proved to be a tough season for OMs, who played impressive football in patches that challenged even the best teams in the competition. But they just couldn’t sustain it for long enough periods and were relegated to Premier B by just half a game.

Paul Satterley departed (and will coach Caulfield Grammarians next season), clearing the path for Nathan Brown’s return as Senior Coach, having previously coached OMs for eight seasons from 2012-19.

Most recently, Brown led Old Geelong to the Premier B Finals and will now look to lift OMs back up into the top-tier via what promises to be an ultra-competitive second tier competition in 2025, packed with both established and up-and-coming teams.