THE best of the Bathurst Bushrangers’ 2016 season were acknowledged during last Saturday's presentation night at their Browning Street clubhouse, celebrating a strong season.
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Best and fairest awards from the men’s two senior teams went to Matt Archer for the Outlaws and Harry Bowden for the Rebels.
In under 18s Michael Long earned the top prize while there were few surprises in the women’s race with recent state representative Keeghan Tucker announced the winner.
Kelsey Smith and Sebastian Matheson were declared joint winners of the player of the finals award.
"With player of the finals it could have gone to a number of players. There were a lot of standouts and we ended up splitting it with Kelsey and Sebastian," Bushrangers president Graeme Grundy said.
"For the Rebels Harry Bowden was the best and fairest winner. This was one of the advantages of the one-tier comp, it allowed him to step up so much. I think he was very surprised on the night when he was announced the winner.
"Matty Archer has been a great leader for the Outlaws and Keeghan Tucker, who was the women's best and fairest, has been miss consistency all season.”
Casey White claimed the club person of the year award.
"We've had a lot of hard workers throughout the year ... but this award is for someone who takes initiative and contributes a lot towards the club's future," he said.
"Casey has done that this year in coaching the under 12s. At the start of the year they were lucky to win a game but they went to being competitive in the finals. He was a very deserving winner.”
Charlie Flude (18s), Mikala Bringolf (Women’s), Kaleb Crowhurst (Rebels) and Bill Watterson (Outlaws) walked away with the player’s player awards.
The Bushrangers president said the club’s top three finish for both senior men’s teams, the women’s grand final triumph, the 18s finale appearance and a strong list of junior results make this year one to savour.
"To make the grand final in five out of the six that we could possibly get this season is great,” Grundy said.
"The main thing though is about being positive and feeling ready to come back again. That's what I saw at the presentation night.
“If you could bottle that enthusiasm up and bring it with you every year then you'd be laughing."