Tom Bell named the Northern Football League Rosbrook Medallist

In his first season in the Northern Football League, Greensborough’s Tom Bell has claimed the competition’s highest honour, named the 2019 Frank Rosbrook Medallist. See the winners here.

Tom Bell tackles coach Andrew Sturgess. Picture: Rob Leeson

Tom Bell marked his first season in the Northern Football League with the Frank Rosbrook Medal on Wednesday night.

Greensborough’s marquee recruit arrived at War Memorial Park with much fanfare but hopes for an bigger achievement on Saturday — a Division 1 premiership.

The former Carlton and Brisbane star claimed the Division 1 league best-and-fairest with 23 votes, finishing three clear of Heidelberg’s Sam Gilmore and Macleod’s Justin White.

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After a frustrating end to his AFL career, Bell said enjoying his football again was key to his success.

“That speaks for itself when you start enjoying your footy, you start playing good footy,” Bell said.

“I’m a natural midfielder, I like contested footy, which is why Northern footy suits me.

Greensborough midfielder Tom Bell caps off his first season in the NFNL with a Frank Rosbrook medal! In a tense vote count, Bell claimed victory by three votes ahead of Heidelberg ruckman and Coaches MVP Sam Gilmore and Macleod’s Justin White. #Rosbrook2019 pic.twitter.com/OsEmLuuVqA

— Northern FNL (@northernfnl) September 18, 2019

“Saturday’s a big day for the club, not only for our senior team but also our reserves. Our women’s team did really well this year as well.

“I haven’t played in a grand final in ages, so it’s exciting times.”

Bell was Greensborough’s first Division 1 best-and-fairest since Neil Brindley and Peter Mastin won the award in a three-way tie with Montmorency’s Peter Woodward in 1991, when the it was known as the Frank Smith Medal.

It was a big night for the Borough with coach Mick Harford recognised as men’s Coach of the Year, Lauren Collis claimed the Division 1 women’s Coaches MVP and Rayden Garrard won the Division 1 under-19 medal.

There was a dramatic finish in the Division 2 count with a three-way tie.

Whittlesea’s Xavier Dimasi capped a spectacular week after winning a premiership and grand final best-on-ground, tying with Banyule’s Riley Loton and Eltham’s Brent Macaffer.

Montmorency’s Nicole Blythe adds to her 2017 Division Two best & fairest award by taking out the ANZ Women’s Division One best & fairest by two votes ahead of VU Western Spurs co-captain Jessica Franke and Diamond Creek’s Stacey Cross. #Rosbrook2019 pic.twitter.com/gfuMk07aWI

— Northern FNL (@northernfnl) September 18, 2019

In Division 3, Heidelberg West big man Jarryd Coulson won his third straight league best-and-fairest, well clear of Scott Conte (Panton Hill) and Michael Brennan (Laurimar).

In the women’s competitions, Montmorency’s Nicole Blythe was named the Division 1 best-and-fairest, while Demi Hallett (South Morang) and Belinda Harris (Hurstbridge) claimed Division 2 and 3 honours respectively.

In the netball there was a tie in Section 1 as Fitzroy Stars’ Jessica Bamblett and Diamond Creek’s Stacey Gannon couldn’t be split.

Shannon Tresider (Cragieburn), Keelin Galvin (Thomastown), Kylie Yelland (North Heidelberg), Daina Peet (Macleod), Kristy Nunn (Kilmore), Tayla Hardiman (South Morang), Olivia Betts (La Trobe), Bianca Clamp (Lower Plenty), Michelle Soon (Thomastown), Alana Nackovski (Bundoora), Rebecca Dighton (Heat) were also winners on the night.

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