Coach of the year undoubtedly went to Harrow-Balmoral coach Paul Cleaver after coaching his team from fifth position on the league ladder, to the grand final. Geoff Burdett was also among the top coaches after leading an undefeated Giants’ season. 

Edenhope-Apsley coach Michael Rowe said the Southern Roos gave his team the most grief. “Paul always had the right match ups and everything running smoothly,” he said. 

In full forward we have the powerful Kain Robins from the Southern Mallee Giants, with 120 goals for the season. 

Cleaver said Robins was a perfect forward. 

“He is accurate and has great range,” he said. 

It was a tough contest with Jeparit-Rainbow’s Ash Clugston, Giants’ Brock Orval and Southern Roos’ Hugh Douglas and Giants’ Tyler Lehmann equally nominated for the job. 

Noradjuha-Quantong coach Heath Francis said Orval is a dangerous forward. 

“He is strong and powerful and draws the footy in a lot,” he said. 

League best and fairest Shannon Argall was the top pick in the ruck. 

Giants coach Geoff Burdett said Argall’s experience was undeniable. 

“He is a proven ruckman and goes well up forward, he has been around a while,” he said. 

The wing was another unclear area. 

Kalkee’s Hugo Papst, Giants’ Lou White and Haydn Drew, Southern Roos’ Eric Guthrie and Jandre Slabbert and Swifts’ Sean Mantell and Lakers’ Pat Purcell all received a vote. 

League under-21 best player Eric Guthrie was the number one choice to lead the midfield. 

Giants’ Haydn Drew was another top pick after a standout year. 

Kalkee’s Steve Schultz and Jeparit-Rainbow’s Luke Murphy and Taylors Lake’s Deek Roberts were also named. 

Giants’ Samuel Weddell was named for half back but Laharum’s Tom Crawford and Brett Ervin, Southern Roos’ Scott Heath and Edenhope-Apsley’s Chris Oliver were other strong contenders across the backline. 

Taylors Lake coach Daryl Eastwell said Ervin was the best backman in the competition. 

“He is reasonably tall, very athletic and able to shut down key opposition forwards as well as winning the footy for himself ,” he said. 

Argall said he would love to see Kain Robins join Laharum.

“Our biggest goal scorer was myself at 25, so we lack key consistent forwards,” he said.

Cleaver said he would like to have Kees’ Hugo Papst join his side.

“He is going to be a star and would fit in with our core group of young guys which will provide the club with a prolonged period of success,” he said.

A number of coaches also named Eric Guthrie as a player they would love to see join its team.