EFNL 2024: East Ringwood’s James Belo wins Sir Gilbert Chandler Medal, South Croydon’s Taylah Black claims third women’s honour
East Ringwood’s James Belo and South Croydon’s Taylah Black shone brightest among a galaxy of stars on Wednesday night, claiming the Eastern league’s top individual honours.
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He’s the club’s first to claim the award in more than 25 years.
East Ringwood’s James Belo was a runaway winner of the Eastern league’s top senior men’s accolade – the Sir Gilbert Chandler Medal – on Wednesday night, blitzing to an 11-vote shoo-in as the Premier Division’s best and fairest.
The tough, inside midfielder polled 27 votes to finish ahead of Rowville’s Anthony Brolic (16), becoming the fifth Roo to toast the honour – and the first since Jarrod Clarke in 1998.
Belo chimed into second spot after Round 12 of the count – edging ahead of Balwyn livewire Charlie Haley by three votes – while trailing Brolic by two. But a win looked ominous as the East Ringwood captain surged to a five-vote buffer on 21 after Round 16.
Alongside Clarke in ’98, Belo also joins Russell Rowe (1983), Ron Thomas (1977) and Keith Robins (1971-72) to win the award since the Eastern league’s formation in 1962.
“Some of those names are guys that have been around the club for years … it feels really good (to win) – it’s not something you think about too much for the year until you come in here, (but) I’m thrilled to take it out,” Belo said on stage.
Meanwhile, teammates Connor Weightman and Josh Weightman featured prominently, Connor running equal-third on 14 votes, while Josh (12 votes) also made up the minor placings.
“I felt like we had such an even contribution this year with Connor having an outstanding year, Josh as well … I honestly had no expectations on tonight,” Belo said.
Belo will lead East Ringwood in its first Premier Division grand final since 2002 on Saturday as the club hunts its first top-flight flag in 22 years, with the minor premier to battle Balwyn at Bayswater Oval.
But the medal-winner certainly didn’t mince his words as to where his priorities stood.
“You’d hand this back for a win on Saturday – if there’s a player in this room who wouldn’t, I don’t want to play with them,” Belo declared to the crowd.
“We’d have half a dozen to a dozen guys who weren’t even born (in 2002) … it’s such an even Premier Division competition now – I think the EFNL deserve a lot of credit with the points system and the salary cap. It’s as even as I’ve seen it – it makes for good footy.
“I don’t think we finished on top because we were any better than anyone, it was because we were consistent throughout the year.
“We feel like we’ve worked so hard and it’s been a long build coming back up from first (Division 1).”
Belo thanked the East Ringwood community, while also paying tribute to partner Phoebe and senior coach Ben Osborne, who took over in late 2019.
“You all mean an incredible amount to me,” Belo said.
“I live on the Peninsula, so driving up to East Ringwood, she (Phoebe) does a lot of the heavy lifting at home, so I appreciate you dedicating that time for me to be able to play my footy.
“Benny Osborne – as soon as he came over, he straightened me up. I’ve learned so much off him and I owe him for a lot of successes.”
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Park Orchards’ Michael Prosenak took the top prize in Division 1 – the Kenneth Wright Medal – with 28 votes, breaking away from joint-runners up Liam Kidd (South Belgrave) and Jesse Uren (Mitcham), locked on 22 apiece.
Prosenak averaged more than 20 disposals and two goals a match this season, helping the Sharks to the grand final with 32 majors from 18 games.
It was back-to-back Paul Edie medals in Division 2 for Boronia’s Mitch Mellis, who romped to 31 votes finishing seven ahead of Mulgrave’s Lin Jong.
Mellis, described by Hawks senior coach Matt Clark as a “contested beast”, also won a second consecutive flag with the club last weekend and was one of the best on ground.
And speaking of repeating the feat, it’s consecutive Perc James medals in Division 3 for Donvale captain James Rausa, who polled 32 votes ahead of Upper Ferntree Gully’s Russell Cowan (26).
The tough-as-nails midfielder polled six more votes than this time last year to claim the prize, after leading his side to another grand final this season.
Meanwhile, Kilsyth midfielder Ryan McNay was a runaway winner of the Division 4 gong – the Stephen Jones Medal – on 33 votes, ahead of the Whitehorse Pioneers’ Eddie Sim (18).
McNay becomes Kilsyth’s second consecutive winner of the award.
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It’s a third senior women’s top honour for South Croydon’s Taylah Black.
The brilliant Bulldog cemented herself as one of the league’s greatest-ever, claiming the Premier Division best and fairest with 19 votes – three ahead of last year’s winner, Olivia Aing from the Eastern Devils.
The gong also marks a second in three seasons for Black, who finished runner-up in 2023 after taking the medal home in ‘22.
Paris Gebel-Lamb (Division 1, East Ringwood), Mia Chadwick (Division 2, Blackburn), Jordyn Doevelaar (Division 3, Mooroolbark) and Ashleigh Hilder (Division 4, Ferntree Gully) were also winners across the senior women’s competitions.
This season, Black fired off 49 goals on the way to an upset premiership victory over powerhouse Eastern Devils.
Black’s claim on the medal looked promising after leading the vote count by five at Round 10.
“It’s really humbling – I’m honoured,” Black said on stage on Wednesday night.
“I’m just so grateful that I get to be a footy player, really – I didn’t really think it would be something that would be on the cards for me when I left high school.
“I loved footy, but it just wasn’t super accessible for women yet, so it’s amazing to see the growth and the support for the girls.
“There’s so many talented women in this room (and) across the whole EFNL and in every single club, so it’s just humbling to be up here.”
And she couldn’t be more grateful to be plying her trade at South Croydon.
“It’s a really inclusive club, it’s really community-based and I feel lucky to be there – I feel really valued as a person,” Black said.
South Croydon coach Simon Hammersley certainly picked it.
“I’d say she’ll be right up there in calculations for the competition medal,” he said following the grand final.
“She’s a very selfless player and she’s had a fantastic year.”
Black paid tribute to Hammersley and her teammates.
“Simon’s an amazing coach and he’s such an advocate for the women’s footy … and to my ‘girl dogs’, every single girl and person I get to play with, they bring so much joy to my life and teach me so much – I couldn’t do this without them.
“To win individual stuff is pretty cool, but I would give it all up to share success with them again and again.”
The triple-league medallist formed Premier Division’s most potent attack duo this season alongside great mate Tannika Martin, with the pair combining for 75 majors.
“She’s a legend – we’re good mates off the field but on the field we just get each other. It’s just so much fun to play footy with her – she’s such a talented athlete and such an amazing person,” Black said.
Last, but not least, was the biggest shout.
“I lost my gran just before Round 1 this year – she was my biggest supporter, she never missed a game and I said to her Round 1 that I’d see her at the footy,” Black said.
“I feel like she’s here with me tonight and she might’ve got me over the line – miss you Gran, love you.”
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