Seccull and White make history at Neil Bencraft Best & Fairest
14/09/2019
For the first time in Sandringham Football Club’s history, the Neil Bencraft Best & Fairest Trophy vote count has ended in a tie.
Finishing on 87 votes, captain Brede Seccull and St Kilda’s Brandon White are your dual 2019 Neil Bencraft Best & Fairest winners.
From White’s booming left foot out of the backline, to Seccull’s determination and grit in the midfield, last night proved not a single vote could split the pair this season.
Finishing as Runner Up, Sam Fox (82 votes) sat just five votes from the two in what was a memorable season for the first year Zebra.
After being announced in the VFL Team of the Year just earlier this week, Fox found his way to the stage a few times last night, collecting the Coaches, Most Determined and Leading Goalkicker Award.
Rounding out the top five were St Kilda listed players Jonathan Marsh (61 votes) and Bailey Rice (58 votes). At opposite ends of the ground, the young Sainters were exceptional in their games for the Zebras.
Jack Noone and Kade Answerth were recognised for their fine seasons, being awarded Best Team Player and the Most Determined Award respectively.
Kai Owens was awarded the Best First Year Player Award.
A big announcement for season 2020 came halfway through the night, as Aaron Hamill announced he would be taking on a Senior Assistant role to newly appointed St Kilda Coach Brett Ratten, and therefore stepping down as Sandringham’s Senior Coach.
Aaron was pleased to announce that close mate and St Kilda Assistant Coach, Ben McGlynn, would take on Sandringham’s coaching role in 2020. Working in development for St Kilda, Ben has worked closely with the Zebras since 2017.
The night didn’t stop there, in his 30th year of voluntary service to the Sandringham Football Club, and after just being recognised at the VFL Best & Fairest, Bruce Bowles continued to collect more accolades.
Bruce was awarded both the Gary Gilchrist and Best Club Person Award at Sandringham’s Best & Fairest. And in honour of Bruce’s commitment and love for the club, Sandringham’s performance facilities have officially been re-named the 'Bruce Bowles High Performance Centre' (see right).
The night also paid tribute to the recent passing of St Kilda Football Club champion, Danny Frawley. From being in the room, it was clear Danny was close to many hearts of the Sandringham community, and will forever be remembered as a legend of the game.
We will upload a full photo album from the night to our Facebook, early next week.
Congratulations to all on- and off-field award winners, and we can’t wait to get stuck into next season with new head coach, Ben McGlynn.
2019 NEIL BENCRAFT TROPHY TOP TEN
Brede Seccull and Brandon White (87 votes)
Sam Fox (82 votes)
Jonathan Marsh (61 votes)
Bailey Rice (58)
Darrah Joyce (55 votes)
Hunter Clark (38 votes)
David Armitage (35 votes)
Kade Answerth (25 votes)
Luke Dunstan and Ben Paton (24 votes)
See the full list of award winners from our 2019 Neil Bencraft Best & Fairest below.
Neil Bencraft Best & Fairest | Brede Seccull & Brandon White
Neil Bencraft Best & Fairest Runner Up | Sam Fox
Coaches Award | Sam Fox
Best Team Player | Jack Noone
Most Courageous | Kade Answerth
Most Determined | Sam Fox
Best First Year Player | Kai Owens
Jack Barker Award | Brandon White
Most Liston Votes | Hunter Clark
Leading Goalkicker | Sam Fox (19)
Gary Gilchrist Award | Bruce Bowles
Best Club Person | Bruce Bowles
Extra Mile Award | Anthony Vella