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The Night has finally arrived... The much
anticipated announcement of the inaugural Barking Dockers
Balding Speedster trophy is finally upon us. Let us first
explain what the award is all about. The trophy is named
after one of our most decorated and illustrious players of
all time, the famous "Balding Speedster", Andrew Wills. His
career began as a Geelong player but only because the men in
purple were yet to exist. When Neesham and his eclectic
troupe of misfits were announced in 1994, Wills was drawn
like a moth to the flame. He quickly established himself as
a cult favourite in the outer, with his shiny noggin and
those white, pumping legs catching the eye of many fluttered
female heart. He was well known for his dash, liberal use of
his tongue, and a penchant for celebration. Wills is
responsible for perhaps the most famous Dockers moment, an
impossible goal from the boundary line at the WACA against
the Kangaroos to win the game. His airplane celebration is
one of the AFL's most reproduced images. There is great
debate about the high point in this great man's career, but
leading the 1997 Brownlow count after 15 rounds would have
to stand as close to it. This albino sensation is a fitting
man to have on Barking Docker's most prestigious award,
indeed more prestigious than any award (more prestigious
than the Club Champion, The Clinton Wolf Medal and the Brownlow combined) - the Best Player of the Year as voted on
a 3-2-1 basis by the Barking Docker members of which every
member of Bark can participate.
The guests all settle in their seats, the
players nervous with anticipation as to who will take the
ultimate prize in sport...The Barking Dockers Balding
Speedster Ttrophy And the winner is...
Dadadadada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew
Pavlich!!!
In his first season as a true Centre Half
Forward, Pavlich made the position his own and was selected
in the All Australian team in that very position. His
ability to take over games was breathtaking and in several
games this year he did that, earning him top votes amongst
the Bark faithful too many times for his teammates to
compete with. Several experts hailed Pavlich's entry into
superstar status with his many headline performances. If the
key piece of a premiership puzzle is dominant power forward
(ala Jonathon Brown, Warren Tredrea, Matthew Lloyd, Wayne
Carey) then the Dockers have their man.
A shaking Pavlich accepted the trophy
from reigning Balding Speedster Trophy Holder Paul Hasleby
and had this to say,
"I want to thank the good people of
the Barking Freo Dockers Fansite for voting me to win the
award I have desperately craved since before I was a foetus.
There were days when I wondered if it would ever happen.
Althoug the premiership cup again escaped my grasp, to hold
this trophy in my hands more than makes up for it. Now that
I have achieved my lifelong dream I will reassess my playing
future as I may retire and go into the stock market
business. I feel I have achieved the pinnacle now that I
have the Balding Speedster Trophy."
Matthew wins the award from Peter Bell
who again put in an excellent and consistent season. Other
good performers were Paul Hasleby who despite injury was
able to pull out some blinders, boom recruit Josh Carr and
surprise packet David Mundy who came 3rd in the NAB Rising
Star award. The
Votes Tally... Matthew
Pavlich: 30 votes Peter Bell:
24 votes Paul Hasleby: 17 votes
David Mundy: 16 votes
Josh Carr: 16 votes Justin Longmuir: 16 votes
Des Headland: 14 votes
Luke McPharlin: 10 votes
Jeff Farmer: 9 votes
Robbie Haddrill: 7 votes
Troy Cook:
7 votes Shaun McManus: 5 votes
Heath Black: 3
votes Matthew Carr: 3 votes
Daniel Gilmore: 3 votes
Scott Thornton: 3 votes Shane Parker: 2 votes
James Walker:
2 votes Byron Schammer: 2 votes
Paul Medhurst: 2 votes
Aaron Sandilands: 1 vote
2004 Results
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