The Hunter River Times

BY ALEX TIGANI

Not even a cancelled AFL Hunter Central Coast season could damper the spirits of the Singleton Roosters in 2021.

The club gathered for its end of year presentation awards on Saturday, November 20 at Singleton’s Horse and Jockey Hotel.

Playing coach Jed Ellis-Cluff took out the best and fairest award in the men’s count.

The 30-year-old trailed last year’s winner Andrew Scott by seven votes with two rounds to go before storming home to claim the award.

Teenager Alex Stafa, who tied for third spot, took home the leading goal-kicker award as well as the rising star award.

First year Rooster John Atie won the side’s players’ player award while defender Conrad Smith won the coaches award.

Earlier in the evening, Kyah McBride added to her previous 2019 best and fairest honour.

The two-time winner won the award by 29 votes ahead of her premiership teammate Lua Roser and first year Roosterette Pippa Manton.

Neisha McPherson won the most consistent award while Amy Little and Lisa Thomas took out the coaches’ awards.

First year recruits Olive Thomas (players’ player), Karen Davey (most improved), and Emily Eastman (rookie of the year) were also recognised with honours.

Outgoing senior vice president Jake Mellon concluded the team award ceremony by declaring Sarah Dunn and Mitchell Gaffney as the winners of this year’s vice president awards.

Mellon was also honoured with the senior club person of the year title for 2021.

MEANWHILE the Muswellbrook Cats will gather for their end of season awards this Saturday evening.

Singleton Roosters best and fairest votes

ROOSTERS

1. Jed Ellis-Cluff………………..60

2. Andrew Scott…………………47

3. Sam Howard…………………29

=3. John Atie……………………29

=3. Alex Staffa………………….29

6. Sam Brasington……………..25

7. Vahid Roser………………….17

8. Cameron White………………9

9. Alex Mitchell………………….8

10. Mitchell Gaffney…………….7

ROOSTERETTES

1. Kyah McBride………………. 50

=2. Lua Roser………………….. 31

=2. Pippa Manton…….…………31

4. Nikki Robson…………………29

5. Tori Cowburn…………………27

6. Sarah Dunn…………………..14

7. Olive Thomas…………………13

8. Sarah Mousley……………….12

9. Neisha McPherson…………..11

10. Taylah Cronin…………….….9