Mackay City midfielder Desmond Hayes has taken out his second MJ Miller Medal after an ever consistent season for the Hawks.
Hayes finished 10 votes clear of the runner up Andrew Leithhead (16 votes) of the Eastern Swans with fellow Swan Matthew Oakford in 3rd on 14 votes and Swans Mitchell Cook and Magpies Jeff Neumann on 13 votes.
Hayes played 14 home-and-away matches, booting 17 goals and collecting a consistent flow of votes throughout the count. Hayes received his first MJ Miller Medal in 2010 when he polled 22 votes.
Fellow Hawk Jarrod Watling, who transferred south mid-season, took votes off Hayes early but the consistency and class of Hayes ensured victory.
Top players from 2015’s benchmark team, the Eastern Swans, took votes off each other all season with three featuring in the top five.
MJ Miller Medal Top 5
26 votes – Desmond Hayes (Mackay City)
16 votes – Andrew Leithhead (Eastern Swans)
14 votes – Matthew Oakford (Eastern Swans)
13 votes – Mitchell Cook (Eastern Swans) & Jeff Neumann (Mackay Magpies)
Mackay City also claimed the leading goal-scorer award with full-forward Brodie Saltmarsh taking out the award, booting 65 goals, six clear of runner up Nicholas Kempe who kicked 59 for the Eastern Swans.
Brad Best made it wins all round for Mackay City as he was named the Division 2 Best and Fairest, his second Division 2 trophy after taking out the top reserves award back in 2009.
Adam Lock also made it a top finish for Mackay City as the leading goal scorer for the Division 2 competition with 57 for the season.
Eastern Swans head coach Brad McLaren was awarded the AFL Queensland Senior Coach of the Year after an impressive season that included his side’s undefeated home and away season, undefeated Central Queensland champions with the Mackay Crows men’s team and involvement with the regions talent programs.
AFL Mackay also recognised North Mackay Saints stalwart Chris Dunbar for reaching the 450 game milestone this season.
Photo by Karyn Morrison: 2015 MJ Miller Medallist Desmond Hayes (centre) of the Mackay City Hawks goes it alone against several North Mackay opponents during the Allied Pickford’s Cup season.
