NFL 2018: Lower Plenty captain Patrick Flynn wins Division 2 medal
COACH Ben Turner has backed Lower Plenty captain Patrick Flynn to reaffirm himself as one of the Northern Football League’s premier ruckman next year.
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COACH Ben Turner has backed Lower Plenty captain Patrick Flynn to reaffirm himself as one of the Northern Football League’s premier ruckman next year.
Flynn was crowned the NFL Division 2 best and fairest on Wednesday night, finishing two votes clear of teammate Tom Keys despite missing four home-and-away games due to injury.
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The result capped a week to savour for Flynn, who led the Bears to a last-second grand final win over Eltham and was adjudged best afield.
“When the club was in Division 1 back in 2016, he was regarded as the best ruckman in the competition then,” Turner said.
“He’ll really relish the opportunity to play in Division 1 again.”
Turner said he doubted Flynn could poll enough votes in 14 matches to top the count, expecting tough on-baller Keys would be the leading Lower Plenty player.
Flynn, Keys and Eltham duo Brent Macaffer and Lewis Glasgow were tied on 14 votes after 10 rounds.
The Bears skipper led the former Collingwood midfielder by a vote with four rounds remaining and amassed 22 votes to finish clear of Keys (20) and Macaffer (18).
“When he came back from injury, he was still playing at a high level, but still trying to work his way back in after having some time off,” Turner said.
“I didn’t expect him to be the winner, but wonderful reward for him for a wonderful season.”
Turner said Flynn’s consistency was the factor which set him apart.
“He’s a real presence on the field,” he said.
“When you are winning or when you are losing, that’s probably one of his best attributes, that he gives his all ever game irrespective of whether it’s a win or a loss.
“He’s just such a competitor.”
Upon accepting the award, Flynn said it had been a week of celebration for the club.
“To win it the way we did was just incredible,” he said.
“I am still coming down from cloud nine. It was been an incredible couple of days.”
Macleod midfielder Lucas Hobbs and Heidelberg captain Michael Brunelli were joint winners of the Division 1 Frank Rosbrook Medal, while Heidelberg West ruckman Jarryd Coulson went back-to-back in the Division 3 count.
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