Vote count rout

CRANBOURNE president Gerry Kelly could not hide his delight on Monday night as he watched his club sweep the MPNFL vote count.
Kelly said it was “very exciting times” at Casey Fields as Cranbourne took home five awards spanning the four grades.
Cranbourne forward Marc Holt took out the senior goalkicking award, joining Justin Berry as the other senior player to be recognised at the awards.
Under 18 midfielder Brad Hermans won his second George Gilmore medal as the best and fairest player, while Jayden Johnsen won the Sue Jones award for the best and fairest player in the colts.
Reserves captain Damien Whitnell finished runner-up to Devon Meadows’ Matthew Walters, who took out the Bill Williamson best and fairest medal.
But most pleasing for Kelly was the club championship award.
The award totals the wins from the seniors, reserves and under 18s and combines them to determine the best performed club in the league.
“It’s something I’ve been aiming for since I came to the club and it’s very important to me,” Kelly said. “We were very disappointed to lose it last year. We got pipped by Beaconsfield and (their president) John Airdrie. It’s very exciting times.”
Classy Jackson Dalton of Hampton Park was awarded the Star News Group Young Gun award. “I didn’t expect that at all,” Dalton said.
He said it was a productive year under new coach Clint Evans.
“He has stamped a lot of authority, which has shocked a few people, but it has been good,” Dalton said. “He was really hard on me. He doesn’t give me an inch. I had to work really hard.”
Dalton played four matches with the Dandenong Stingrays and aims to become a regular member next year.
Other Young Gun nominees included courageous defender Ben King (Narre Warren), silky midfielder Daniel Johnston (Beaconsfield), promising foward Rian Healy (Cranbourne) and the versatile Kristian Meredith (Berwick).