MPNFL awards: Blake Mullane and Nick Battle take top prizes

Mates Blake Mullane and Nick Battle received a congratulatory call from an AFL premiership star after they won MPNFL league medals. And the teams of the season were named.

Frankston YCW co-captain Blake Mullane won the EV Shade Medal.

Frankston YCW co-captain Blake Mullane’s phone ran hot after he won the EV Shade Medal by seven votes on Monday night.

The first call was from his best mate, Melbourne premiership star James Harmes.

The pair grew up playing junior football together at Devon Meadows and have remained tight.

Mullane polled 28 votes to bolt off with the MPNFL Division 1 top award, ahead of Mt Eliza’s Finlay Bayne (21) and Dromana ruckman Billy Geurts (20).

The former Frankston Dolphins captain modestly played down his season, crediting his Stonecats teammates for bringing out his best.

“I don’t reckon I’ve been a super stand out, I mean I’ve just played my role really,’’ Mullane said.

“I don’t have to do too much with the team we’ve got really.

“I just go out there and have confidence that I don’t have to play the best game to get the job done, it’s a bit of a luxury at YC.’’

Mullane played two seasons at the Dolphins before they lost their VFL licence. In 2017 he had a season with Coburg, before returning to Frankston in 2018, as skipper.

At Coburg, he experienced his first VFL win — in his 32nd game.

Now at Frankston YCW, he’s an integral part of the 17-2 Stonecats’ juggernaut.

Devon Meadows star Nick Battle.

The MPNFL awards night had a distinct Devon Meadows flavour, with Panthers gun Nick Battle winning the Division 2 George Osbourne Medal.

Battle and Mullane, both 27, are great mates.

“We pretty much grew up together,’’ Mullane said.

“We went through Stingrays together, always playing footy against each other. Him and Harmsy went to school together so we’re always catching up on weekends and hanging out.’’

Battle averaged 34 possession this season to help Devon Meadows reach its first finals series in 21 years.

It was his second league medal following his victory in the 2018 Southern league Division 2 medal when he was at Doveton.

“I didn’t really expect it to be honest, I didn’t think I was much of a chance until late in the night,’’ Battle said of his win on Monday night.

Battle, who polled 31 votes to finish ahead of Pearcedale’s Kaolan Thornton (27) and Chelsea’s Todd Gardiner (25), said he was more consistent than a stand-out this season.

“I had a fair bit of attention every week where I was getting rag dolled around, whereas early on I didn’t really get the attention and I got off the leash a little bit,’’ he said.

“I didn’t feel like it was one of the better ones (seasons), but for others maybe so.’’

Battle said he worked extra hard this season.

“My whole week revolves around footy,’’ he said.

“Monday to Thursday I go to the gym every single day and you pretty much get out of what you put in.

“The harder you work the luckier you get I believe.’’

MPNFL Teams Of The Year:

Division 1

B: Ryan Marks-Logan (Bombers), Shane Tennant (Mt Eliza), BJ Credlin (YCW).

HB: Jackson Casey (Bonbeach), Jonah Siversen (C) (Red Hill), Dean Waugh (Dromana).

C: Nathan Scagliarini (Mt Eliza), Mitch Gent (Bonbeach), Billy Quigley (Dromana).

HF: Kurt Lo Po (Edi Asp), Khan Haretuku (Bombers), Danny Allsop (Red Hill).

F: Trent Dennis-Lane (Bonbeach), Jarrad Grant (Bombers), Josh Patullo (YCW).

R: Billy Geurts (Dromana), Blake Mullane (YCW), Sam Geurts (Dromana).

INT: Liam McKenna (Rosebud), Shane McDonald (Bonbeach), Fin Bayne (Mt Eliza)

Alex Harnett (Bombers).

COACH: Matt Price (Dromana).

Division 2:

B: Kane McKenzie (Somerville), Mitch Cuthbert (Langwarrin), Corey Buchan (Tyabb).

HB: Nick Strickland (Rye), Jordan Pomeroy (Karingal), Jake Frawley (Pearcedale).

C: Chad Mulvogue (Langwarrin), Lachie Williams (Somerville), Jake Hewitt (Hastings).

HF: Brandon White (D.Meadows), Riley D’Arcy (Karingal), Josh Bateman (Langwarrin).

F: Darcy Hope (Karingal), Andrew Dean (Rye), Cruiz West (Pearcedale).

R: Macklin Raine (Seaford), Zach Andrewartha (Langwarrin), Nick Battle (Devon Meadows).

INT: Blake Peach (C) (Langwarrin), Damien Rayson (Seaford), Joel Fillipone (Seaford). COACH: Josh Beard (Langwarrin) and Blake McCormack (Langwarrin).