Club win a tribute to its volunteers

By Paul Pickering
CASEY Scorpions officials were pleasantly surprised to be presented with the VFL’s Best Conducted Club award at Monday night’s J.J. Liston Trophy function.
General manager Brian Woodman described the award as an “outstanding” result for the club, before quickly dedicating it to the Scorpions match-day staff, players and loyal volunteers.
The award, which is voted upon by the umpires, recognises the professionalism and sportsmanship displayed by all members of the club on game days.
“Our volunteers and people who work at the club are the ones that we can really thank,” Woodman said.
“This is a reward and great acknowledgment for the job they do.
“And our coach, Brad Gotch, is certainly a very measured person and has gained a great deal of respect in the industry for the way he conducts himself, so I’m sure that flows over (to other Scorpions personnel).”
Casey players also figured prominently in the on-field awards, with skipper James Wall and running defender Michael Stockdale being named in the VFL Team of the Year.
Wall, who was named on the interchange, made the team for the second-straight year, while Stockdale was named in the back pocket, despite missing the last six home-and-away games due to injury.
The diminutive Gippslander actually led the vote count after nine rounds, before finishing tied for fifth behind eventual winners Stephen Clifton (North Ballarat) and Shane Valenti (Port Melbourne).
Stockdale (11 votes) and key forward Brad Miller (nine) were the only Scorpions to poll more than six votes, which pointed to an even spread of contributors throughout the season.
Woodman said that despite a straight-sets exit from the finals, the club would consider 2010 as a resounding success, both on and off the field.