Wade Lees will be pressing for senior selection in 2010 after By Paul Pickering
CASEY Scorpions ball-magnet James Wall made it back-to-back Gardner-Clark medals at the club’s presentation night last Friday.
Wall, who was named at half-back in the VFL team of the year, reaped the rewards of an incredibly consistent season to finish ahead of first-year Scorpion Peter Faulks and established stars Alex Silvagni and Kyle Matthews.
The function at Mulgrave’s Village Green Hotel was held in the wake of senior coach Peter German’s departure to Williamstown, but there was still plenty for the Scorpions to celebrate.
A sixth-place finish exceeded all pre-season expectations, and the club uncovered some likely stars of the future.
German presented the senior awards and was well received. He later acknowledged Wall’s contribution to a side that looked every bit the flag contender in the lead-up to the finals.
“I think he polled in every game except one, so that speaks volumes of his consistency and how integral he was to the team throughout the year,” German said.
Runner-up Faulks was something of a revelation down back for Casey, while fellow defender Silvagni – a first-time VFL team of the year member – and skipper Matthews were at their reliable best.
Ex-Rosedale midfielder Ben MacReadie took out the Most Improved award, having bounced back from a mid-season form slump to dominate in the last month of the season.
Former Gippsland Power star Michael Stockdale was another to emerge as bona fide VFL player, and his season was recognised with the club’s Rising Star award.
