NFL 2018: Michael Brunelli and Lucas Hobbs share Frank Rosbrook Medal
LUCAS Hobbs became Macleod’s first Frank Rosbrook Medal winner in 49 years when he shared the NFL Division 1 best and fairest with Heidelberg skipper Michael Brunelli.
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LUCAS Hobbs became Macleod’s first Frank Rosbrook Medal winner in 49 years when he shared the Northern Football League Division 1 best and fairest with Heidelberg skipper Michael Brunelli.
The star midfield pair finished on 21 votes, two clear of Hobbs’ teammate Ned McKeown and six ahead of Peter Hood (Bundoora), Mark Kovacevic (West Preston-Lakeside) and Jesse Tardio (North Heidelberg).
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Hobbs, who crossed from Whittlesea to Macleod in 2015, was the first Roos player since Macleod-Rosanna’s Geoff Noble in 1969 to be recognised as Division 1’s premier player.
He has long been considered one of the competition’s prime movers, a prolific ball winner capable of hurting opposition sides going forward.
“It wasn’t too bad of a year. You don’t know how good you are going,” Hobbs said upon accepting his award.
Hobbs, who has represented the NFL four times and featured for Vic Metro this year, credited his teammates and coach Garry Ramsay with helping him claim the accolade.
“All the boys you play with, it’s good to play in a good team,” he said.
“Garry is huge for us. It’s a great club, so that helps as well.”
Brunelli has been one of the NFL’s most consistent players in recent years, finishing second in the vote count behind Bundoora ruckman Matthew Dennis last year.
The Tiger skipper was a premiership captain in 2016 and was named in his side’s best players six times from 16 games this year.
“I knew I missed the last two games and Hobbsy is an amazing player,” Brunelli said.
“I saw him coming and I thought he was going to pip me at the end.”
In the Division 3 count, Heidelberg West ruckman Jarryd Coulson went back-to-back, polling 17 votes to pip South Morang’s Daniel Caruso by one.
Coulson only played 15 games for the Hawks this year, but was recognised among their best players 12 times.
He was named best on ground in a Round 18 win against Lalor, edging Caruso after he polled two votes in the last round to take the lead.
Lower Plenty captain Patrick Flynn finished two votes ahead of his teammate Tom Keys in the Division 2 count, capping a dream week after leading his club to a thrilling grand final win.
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