Gary Ablett has claimed his second successive Club Champion award in as many seasons, taking out the honour at a sold out event at Southport Sharks.
Ablett, who was awarded votes in all but two of the 20 matches he played throughout the season, polled a total of 215 votes, 19 more than last season, winning the award ahead of Harley Bennell (163votes) and Danny Stanley (84 votes).
The Gold Coast SUNS skipper once again exceeded expectations in 2012. The five time All Australian amassed 389 kicks (First in the AFL), 61 marks, 287 handballs and 26 goals. He averaged 19.5 kicks, 3.1 marks and 14.4 handballs a game.
Despite falling short to Ablett, Bennell’s brilliance was on display throughout the season with the star midfielder receiving the maximum 20 votes on two occasions through the year. However, highlighting Bennell’s consistency was his ability to register votes in 20 matches throughout the season.
Danny Stanley’s continued improvement didn’t go unnoticed with the match committee. Stanley took his game to another level in 2012 and despite missing the first seven matches of the season through injury and suspension, polled votes in all of his 13 games.
Gold Coast SUNS Club Champion Voting System
The Gold Coast SUNS match committee, comprising of the senior coach and three assistant coaches can award votes to an unlimited number of players per match. A player can receive a maximum of five votes, from each individual member of the match committee, therefore the maximum number of votes a player can receive per round totals 20.
2012 Gold Coast SUNS Club Champion Top Ten
1st – Gary Ablett 215
2nd – Harley Bennell 163
3rd – Danny Stanley 84
4th – Matthew Warnock 82
5th – Campbell Brown 69
6th – Brandon Matera 63
7th – David Swallow 61
8th – Tom Lynch 58
9th – Charlie Dixon 56
10th – Dion Prestia 53
Other Awards Presented:
2012 Victor Sports Iron Man Award
Presented to the player who achieved the most “desired indicators” on-field during the season.
KYAL HORSLEY
2012 Community Award
Presented to the player who demonstrated their dependability and commitment to the clubs core community programs.
JARROD HARBROW
2012 HOSTPLUS Most Professional Award
Presented to the player judged most professional by the strength and conditioning staff.
KYAL HORSLEY
2012 Grand Motors Toyota Most Improved Award
Presented to the player judged by the match committee to have made the greatest improvement on-field.
HARLEY BENNELL
2012 NEAFL Player of the Year Award
Presented to the player judged to have made the greatest contribution at NEAFL level, by the GC SUNS Development Coaches.
ALIK MAGIN.
2011 Gold Coast SUNS Club Champion Top Ten
1st – Gary Ablett 196
2nd – Nathan Bock 138
3rd – Michael Rischitelli 100
4th – David Swallow 98
5th – Danny Stanley 95
6th – Zac Smith 93
7th – Jared Brennan 83
8th – Jarrod Harbrow 82
9th – Sam Iles 49
= 10th – Harley Bennell & Trent McKenzie 45
