Premier C Team of the Year

Meg Saultry

It was a tough task when it came time to assemble the Premier C Team of the Year, with a raft of players considered worthy of making the line up this year.

Williamstown CYMS, Fitzroy FC, Old Geelong and Old Camberwell were the four finalists this season and as such have the majority of selections this year. Relegated club’s Peninsula and St Mary’s could consider themselves unlucky not to be included this season, with Pirates’ skipper Sam Glenn and Saints’ forward Manny Dolan almost inclusions, while the Eagles, Hoers, Panthers and Bombers all feature at least one selection.

The three top leading goal kickers of the season are all represented, with Romanyk (61), Del Monte (51) and Boyd (50) making up half the forward line. Jumeau was a solid presence in the Roy’s forward line this year while Ben Gray also makes the team after an impressive year down forward.

Hemphill leads the midfield after taking out the 2018 Lou Zachariah Medallist, while Sloss makes the team after featuring in Old Geelong’s best 12 times this season. Reeves-Smyth is named half-forward due to his ability to play in a number of positions, fellow Hoer Powick also makes the line up, while Angiolella and Hensby were too hard to overlook.

In the backline, OGs Kirkwood strong performances saw him shut down a number of key forwards this season. Teammates Bennett and Wilson make the team after the Wellers improved season, while Ellis was another consistent performer in defence. Johnstone was one who impressed for minor premiers Williamstown this season and as such is included, while Philpot starred for the Bombers on multiple occasions.

Hart and Brown are named in the team for their own individually strong seasons, and while it was hard to slot Adamson into the starting line up with a number of key forwards already on the field, he earns a place in the final 22 for leading the Wellers’ forward attack this season.

Fitzroy’s Angiolella assumes the captaincy for the Team of the Year. Even though the midfielder passed the club captaincy onto teammate Julian Turner this season, it hasn’t stopped Angiolella from leading on-field in his own performance and his experience makes him the logical choice to lead this team. Nick Reeves-Smyth takes the vice captaincy, with his on-field presence and leadership at Old Ivanhoe evident when he is on the field.

After an excellent first season with Fitzroy FC, Luke Mahoney has been appointed coach of the year after leading the Roy’s back into Premier B after they were relegated last season, though it remains to been seen whether he will be the premiership coach ahead of Fitzroy’s appearance in the Grand Final.