Historic night for Port Douglas Crocs as Best and Fairest winners announced

BEST AND FAIREST

Lisa Keller

Journalist

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Women’s Captain, Caity Walsh, becomes the first woman to win a Best and Fairest award at the Crocs. Image: Caity Walsh

The Port Douglas Crocs celebrated the 2024 AFL season with a history making medal count over the weekend. Players, coaches, committee members and volunteers gathered at the Port Douglas Yacht Club on Saturday night where for the first time ever, the Seniors count ended in a tie.

In the Seniors division, midfielders Liam Brandt and Brett McKeown both finished with an impressive 133 votes, resulting in the draw. Both players had standout seasons - Brandt’s consistency and leadership in the midfield earned him the AFL Cairns Crathern Medal for the second time, while McKeown’s early season finesse saw him emerge as one of the team’s most valuable players. Ruckman Ethan McCullough came in second place with 68 votes followed by captain Ben McPhee on 62.

The reserves count also went down to the wire, with Jake Muia narrowly edging out Rex Hawkes by just one vote. Muia finished with 65 votes, while Hawkes collected 64. Travis Gulliver rounded out the top three with 56.

The tables were a little bit fuller at this year's medal count as the men were joined by the inaugural women’s team who joined the AFL Cairns league this year. In what is arguably one of the most historic moments in the clubs history, Captain Caity Walsh, was named the first Crocs Best and Fairest winner in the women’s division.

Walsh was the hot favourite going into the count and dominated in the votes, finishing on top with 168. Walsh’s leadership and skill helped guide the developing squad through their first season and played a key role both on and off the field. Second place was awarded to Maddy Keeble with 68 votes, and Kanisha Thomas placed third with 67.

The Crocs will now take a well deserved break before pre-season begins again in November.

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