Neil Kerley Best and Fairest Recap

Last Friday (October 6) we held our 2023 Neil Kerley Best and Fairest awards at the lovely Hotel Grand Chancellor.

We would like to say a big thank you to Hotel Grand Chancellor for hosting the event and we look forward to continuing this in 2024.

It was a special night with numerous award winners and life member inductees, with over 200 people in attendance and fabulous feedback.

Congratulations to Josh Ryan who took home the Neil Kerley Medal after a superb season in defence. Josh won by 2 votes ahead of Michael Mattingly while Tom Morrish finished in 3rd place.

Here is a recap of the night:

Jono Beech announced his retirement from SANFL football, an incredible career that consisted of 225 League games and 291 goals. We thank Jono for his long-lasting commitment to West Adelaide and wish him all the best in the future.

Hamish Ellem and Callum Park were acknowledged for reaching 50 League games this season, a great achievement.

Jacinta Lockyer and Anthony Barkell were awarded the Francis Elmer Award for their time and effort volunteering for the club over a number of years.

Isaac Johnson lived the values all season and stepped into the captaincy role brilliantly winning the Identity Award.

Harvey Bock and Josh Ryan continue to do great things off field with charities to be awarded the President’s Award.

Ned Stevens led the goal kicking for the Reserves despite playing a handful of League games in 2023.

Josh Sheppard was the ultimate team man and had a good first season winning the Reserves Coaches Award.

Dylan White finished in 3rd place in the Reserves Best and Fairest after a solid season in defence highlighted by one match where he gathered an incredible 40 disposals.

Jordan White had a fantastic year playing various roles finishing runner-up in the Reserves Best and Fairest. Jordan was also rewarded with a couple of League games at the end of the season.

Jed Obst was a deserving winner of the Reserves Best and Fairest (Bob Lee Memorial Trophy), was very consistent and lead from the front each week.

Kane Sherlock had a breakout season to be awarded the Keith Reynolds Memorial Trophy.

Liam Delahunty took his game to another level kicking a total of 27 goals in 2023, taking home the Roger Luders Award.

Sam Frost only managed a handful of games in 2023 due to injury but it was enough for him to win the Sam Suckling Sheild (Best First Year Player), we look forward to watching Frosty having a big 2024.

Kobe Ryan had a season to remember at such a young age winning the Bill Downs Memorial Trophy.

Michael Mattingly showed incredible consistency and professionalism to be a well deserving winner of the Grantley Fielke Award.

We also had 6 new Life Member inductees, congratulations to Kaine Stevens, Aaron Anderson, Tom Keough, Matthew Matchoss, Michael Memmler and Richard Sykes. All worthy inductees.

Another big thank you to Hotel Grand Chancellor for putting on a terrific night for us.

GO BLOODS.