Mornington ruckman Mick Gay bolts away with Peninsula league best and fairest, Rye’s Jay Bruno wins Nepean league medal
POWERFUL Mornington big man and former Heidelberg star Mick Gay clears out to 12-vote victory in Peninsula league’s EV Shade Medal
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MORNINGTON ruckman Mick Gay said he’d had his most enjoyable season ever after romping away with the Peninsula league’s EV Shade Medal on Monday night.
Polling 31 votes, he finished 12 clear of Bonbeach captain Shane McDonald on 19 and last season’s winner Rohan Heasley on 18 in the count at Mornington racecourse.
“It was a shock, honestly,’’ Gay told the Leader.
“I’m super excited and happy.’’
Gay, with mates Danny and Dale Nolan, joined Mornington this season from Heidelberg, where they played in multiple premierships.
All three have been terrific contributors as the Bulldogs have surged into the grand final, but Gay has been a colossus, his imposing 128kg frame causing rivals headaches.
“I’ve enjoyed my footy this year as much as I have in any year I’ve played,’’ Gay said.
“I’ve loved it. My wife comes down with my two-year-old son every week. When you are enjoying something you are normally pretty good at it. The club has been super, I can’t speak highly enough, they’ve just been so welcoming. I’ve just loved it down there.’’
Throughout his career Gay has been a vote-getter but, until now, a league medal had eluded him. He was runner-up four times in the Northern Football League.
“That’s why this was so special,’’ he said.
Gay has always been big.
“I was 118kg when I was still at school, at 17,’’ he said.
“I’ve been going to the gym every day for probably 15 years and I’ve put on 10kg. I was 120kg when I started this year and I’ve put on some not-so-good weight but, anyway, that happens when you’re my age and it comes to winter.’’
While brute strength makes Gay a standout player, Mornington coach Stuart Seager says his leadership has also been vital this season.
“He’s just been dominant for us in the ruck this year,’’ Seager said.
“He’s made the world of difference to our midfielders, giving us first use of the footy.’’
“He’s been great around the young guys. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.’’
Seager added: “He’s definitely the biggest player I’ve played with at Mornington. His presence on the field is huge; blokes walk taller when he’s around.’’
Gay will play a pivotal role in Mornington’s quest for its first premiership in 10 years when it meets Frankston YCW in Sunday’s grand final at Frankston Park.
“I want to win another flag so bad,’’ Gay said.
“The belief is actually there. We’re not intimidated at all going in. I can’t wait.’’
Meanwhile, Rye’s Jay Bruno won the George Osborne Medal as Nepean league’s best and fairest.
Bruno polled 17 votes to finish one ahead of last season’s winner, Sorrento’s Leigh Treeby.
The 26-year-old admitted he saw the irony in his win, given that he quit the club on the eve of finals after he was dropped to the reserves.
“I just lost the love,’’ Bruno said.
It was Bruno’s second league medal after he won the Southern Football League Division 1 medal in 2009 while playing with St Kilda City.
Bruno was at home in St Kilda on Monday night when he found out he won the medal.
“I’m pretty happy,’’ he said.
“I was at home when I found out, I wasn’t actually down at the count.
“It was a bit of a surprise to hear over the phone from the captain (Rhett Sutton).
“He rang me and said I was up by a fair few votes with a few rounds to go and can I quickly get down to Mornington.
“I said, ‘no, I can’t mate’.’’
Bruno said he had a hamstring injury late in the season and admitted he didn’t see eye to eye with the coach.
“We had a couple of disagreements,’’ he said.
“Towards the end of the season I started to not enjoy my footy as much.
“When I hurt my hammy I didn’t want to say because I wanted to keep playing but he noticed that I wasn’t training hard so he said, ‘just have a week in the twos and get yourself right’. It ended there.
“I lost the love.’’
Bruno said was considering having another go in the VFL next season. “If not, probably local somewhere,’’ he said.
Bruno said Sutton was going to deliver the league medal to his home on Tuesday night and they would have a make believe medal ceremony.
Bruno polled 17 votes to finish one ahead of last season’s winner, Sorrento’s Leigh Treeby.
*Other awards:
Peninsula league:
Reserves best and fairest: Jean Bezzene (Pines) 18 votes
U18s best and fairest: Sam Pickess (Frankston YCW) and Brodie Shaw (Mt Eliza) 19 votes
Most Valuable Player — Anthony Barry (Frankston YCW)
Goalkicking: Seniors — David Bodley (Frankston YCW) 51 goals. Reserves — Brad Wakeling (Frankston YCW) 51 goals. Under 18s — Corey Hanger (Langwarrin) 68 goals.
Club champion: Frankston YCW
Combined club champion: Edithvale Aspendale
Most disciplined club: Mornington
Nepean league:
Reserves best and fairest: Rob Muir (Somerville) 20 votes
U18s best and fairest: Lachlan Marshall (Pearcedale) 30 votes
Most Valuable Player — Leigh Poholke (Sorrento)
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