Liam Brandt makes history with second Crathern Medal
After an unstoppable season, Crocs midfielder Liam Brandt has been crowned king of the Far North, securing the 2024 Crathern Medal by a landslide.
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After an unstoppable season, Crocs midfielder Liam Brandt has been crowned king of the Far North, securing the 2024 Crathern Medal by a landslide.
The dominant ball magnet (33 votes) edged out Cutters duo Liam McCarthy (17 votes) and Tyler Roos (16 votes).
Fellow Croc Brett Mckeown also polled well with 14 votes, while CTB Bulldogs contested machine Jaiden Butson racked up 14 votes.
Cairns City Lions dashing defender Branden Deslandes led his side with 12 votes.
Brandt, securing his second Crathern after winning the prestigious award in 2021 with former CTB Bulldogs midfielder and current coach Mark Horne, led the league in disposals (575), contested possessions (242) and clearances (134).
The number 28 booted 22 goals and finished fourth in the competition for tackles (107).
The AFL Cairns team of the season member racked up 46 disposals, 12 clearances against Saints in round 19 and 25 disposals, five goals and seven tackles against the Tigers in round nine.
He joins elite company with Stan McMahon (’60 and ‘66), Bill Reed (’74 and ‘75), Kevin Sullivan (’77 and ‘80), Rod Davidson (’90 and ‘91), Matthew Walsh (’06 and ‘13), and Daniel Smith (’10 and ‘11’), all of whom have secured dual Crathern Medals.
North Cairns Tigers tough ball-winner Patrick Applin was crowned Reg Dean Medallist for his incredible year in development.
Lions cleaned up a number of awards on the night with top-tier half-back Deslandes securing mark of the year, while teammate Beau Flint was awarded goal of the year for his unbelievable goal against Port Douglas Crocs in round 15.
Highly talented CTB Bulldog Grace Frost won women’s rising star, while Lion Max Hoffman won the Troy Clarke award for men’s rising star.
Lions president Shane Law received the volunteer of the year award for his tireless hours at the football club and around the community.
Leashay Warburton (Tigers women’s), Tyron Rainbird (Lion’s seniors) and Daniel Lock (Lions) were crowned leading goalkickers of their respective divisions.
Michael Taylor was selected as men’s umpire of the year, while Rochelle Ryan was presented as women’s umpire of the year.
Top Crathern Medal Contenders
Ahead of the 2024 AFL Cairns senior presentation night this Sunday. We take a look at each club’s strongest contenders for the Crathern Medal.
Cairns City Lions
Leading their side in possessions and clearances and with multiple best on grounds to their names, tough midfield bulls Daniel Charlesworth and Beau Flint could be outside chances for the honour, while Matthew Walsh Medallist Tyron Rainbird (63 goals) should get votes for his numerous goalkicking hauls this year.
Cairns Saints
Zavier Ballis took his game to another level in 2024 and has been tremendous for the Saints, leading the side in disposals (310), contested possessions (129) and intercept marks (28).
Meanwhile, Saints captain and recently announced coach for the 2025 season, Chris Novy, was in immaculate form before a shoulder injury cut his season short.
CTB Bulldogs
Young midfielder Jaiden Butson ended the season fourth in the competition for contested possessions (203) and went toe-to-toe with the best players in the competition. A strong tank with tenacity to hunt the footy, Butson and Dom Booth were the standout performers for the Bulldogs in 2024.
Manunda Hawks
Despite a tough season, Hawks clearance beasts Joshua Welsford and captain Troy Barbero have consistently been their team’s best on ground on a weekly basis.
Although both are unlikely to win, the midfield pair have consistently thrown their bodies in harm’s way with Welsford a superstar of the future.
North Cairns Tigers
The North Cairns leading goalkicker Fitzroy Greenwool (42 goals) has been one of the Tigers standout performers this season, however he has missed multiple games.
First-year recruit James Bennett played every game throughout the year and proved to be a tough inside midfielder and cunning goalkicker in 2024.
With a first-class backline, their elite defenders are unlikely to get enough votes to have a real crack at the Crathern with the Medal traditionally favouring midfielders.
Port Douglas Crocs
Liam Brandt will be the standout favourite heading into the night, leading the competition in both disposals and clearances, however Brett Mckeown had a dominant start to the year while remaining consistent towards the back end of the season. Finished the year with 27 goals as the Crocs second leading goalkicker behind Kye Chapple and may split the votes with Brandt.
South Cairns Cutters
A serious contender, Liam McCarthy has been the most consistent Cutter in 2024 and a huge reason they will battle it out in a Grand Final.
With fellow star Tyler Roos only playing 12 games, the versatile McCarthy has played every game and leads the Cutters in possessions and is the minor premiers leading challenger.
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