AFL Yarra Ranges: Marcus Hottes finally has a league best and fairest medal around his neck

After years of clapping the other guy, Olinda Ferny Creek’s Marcus Hottes could be forgiven for thinking his name would never be called out at the big end-of-year gala.

After years of clapping the other guy, Olinda Ferny Creek’s Marcus Hottes could be forgiven for thinking his name would never be called out at the big end-of-year gala.

But after years of finishing in the top two or three without dipping his head to have a medal hung around his neck, the Bloods star finally saluted when he was awarded the Harold Ramage Medal as the AFL Yarra Ranges Division 1 best and fairest player.

“I reckon I’ve come second about six times in league presentations,” he said yesterday. “So I thought I was always going to be the bridesmaid. I don’t think I got a vote in the last couple of weeks and the other guys were coming for me.”

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Olinda Ferny Creek’s Marcus Hottes, the AFL Yarra Ranges Division 1 best and fairest winner

Hottes reckons it was a season more solid than spectacular.

“I didn’t do anything too differently this year,” he said. “I try to base my game around fitness.

“I think I had a consistent year without starring.”

While Hottes said he’d look back on the individual honour with great pride once he’d retired, at present he was disappointed the Bloods’ premiership defence had ended a few weeks earlier than planned.

“It was disappointing how we finished off, but finals are very hard to win,” he said. “We did have a fair few injuries but I don’t like to use that as an excuse.”

Hottes injured a hamstring as a wounded Olinda Ferny Creek limped to defeat at the hands of Wandin in the qualifying final. The Bloods were unable to recover and, a week later, bowed out at the hands of Healesville in the first semi-final.

“It was probably a strained hamstring,” Hottes said. “I thought I would have been right for this week (if the Bloods had progressed), but it wasn’t to be.

“I haven’t missed a game in three years, I would have liked to have been going on this week.

“But, you need a fair bit going your way in finals.”

After a summer off, Hottes said he’s looking forward to the challenge of playing in the revamped AFL Outer East after clubs from the now defunct South-East Football Netball League join the AFL Yarra Ranges.

“The challenge of taking on the players these teams are bringing, I know our club is really looking forward to it,” he said. “Guys you have never played against before. They have some very good footballers running around in that league. It was a bit of an eye opener seeing them play in interleague.”

Mark Cecere (Seville) won the Division 2 best and fairest award

Seville’s Mark Cecere claimed the Jim Wandin Medal as the best and fairest player in Division 2 while Olinda Ferny Creek’s Krista Tomlinson made it a winning double for the club when she won the Jodi Chandler Medal as the Division 1 A Grade netballer of the year.

Seville’s Sephanie McNay was named Division 2 A Grade netball’s best and fairest.

DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL

Harold Ramage Medal (Seniors): Marcus Hottes (Olinda Ferny Creek)

Len Strattford Medal (Reserves): Steven Gannell (Upwey Tecoma)

Hunter/Crowley Medal (Under 18’s): Dante South (Gembrook Cockatoo)

DIVISION 1 NETBALL

Jodi Chandler Medal (A Grade): Krista Tomlinson (Olinda Ferny Creek)

B Grade: Lauren Van Der Westhuizen (Woori Yallock)

C Grade: Siobhan Munday (Monbulk)

D Grade: Fleur De Wit (Monbulk)

17 & Under: Lillian Murphy (Healesville)

Olinda Ferny Creek’s Krista Tomlinson

DIVISION 2 FOOTBALL

Jim Wandin Medal (Seniors): Mark Cecere (Seville)

Alan Morgan Medal (Reserves): Dylan Trevorah (Gembrook Cockatoo)

DIVISION 2 NETBALL

A Grade: Stephanie McNay (Seville)

B Grade: Mellissa Foster (Seville)

C Grade: Kirsty Brook (Alexandra)

D Grade: Errin White (Kinglake)

VETERANS

Mark Darcy Medal: Matthew Whitehead (Mt Evelyn)

Champion Club: Wandin FNC (103 Wins)

Goal of the Year: Thomas Merlino (Wandin)

Mark of the Year: Dylan Troutman (Olinda Ferny Creek)

Volunteer of the Year: Rod Smith (Emerald)

Trainer of the Year: Rachelle Credlin (Olinda Ferny Creek)

Stephanie McNay (Seville)