Grand Final Newsletter 2016

2016 - A Milestone season!

Dear Mosman Swans members,

The 2016 season has been a stellar year for the Mosman Swans footy club. At the conclusion of the Sydney Harbour home & away season no less than nine (9) Mosman Swans/WMS teams had qualified for the finals series. After a torrid two weeks of Semi & Preliminary finals footy, six teams will contest a Grand Final on Sunday.

In all, seven teams finished the season as minor premiers, including our two Youth Girls teams, both of which produced some exciting footy throughout the season and in Round 15 our first ever female member to reach the 100 game milestone. A wonderful achievement and one all the more extraordinary as she is just 12 years old. Congratulations Isadora McLeay!

Speaking of milestones, Sunday's U17-2's Grand Final, will mark the exchange between siblings of this clubs all time games record. In a Grand Final, Brodie Hurrrell will break the Mosman Swans’s all time games record currently held by elder brother Nic (171 games) (which he took off Life Member, Tim Milton-Hine (167) a couple of years ago). Congrats Brodie. Sensational!

Mosman was the only club in Sydney to have both girls teams finish the year in the top three and in addition five junior & youth boys teams (U11's, U12-3, U15-1, U15-3, U17-2) also completed the season on top of the ladder. Not just an indication of the strength of the football program at this club and the depth of the talent of our players across the board; but a tribute to the commitment and expertise of our volunteer coaches and a sign of many more successful seasons to come. Another great season.

The final Auskick session was held on 21 August and was followed by the annual presentation event. As ever it was a wonderful celebration of our youngest members in a hue of red and white, amongst a huge crowd of supportive parents, grand parents and supporters. A wonderful Auskick season, thank you to Peter Tonkin and the entire Auskick team. Always a highlight!

Please note below the details for the forthcoming junior and youth team Presentation events, which will occur Sunday 11 September & Monday 12 September respectively.

On behalf of the Committee, I congratulate each player, their wonderful parents, together with our supporters, partners and sponsors for ensuring a very successful season. In addition, I thank all coaches, team managers, our hard working committee and each volunteer who have given countless hours to the enjoyment, education and development of our young members throughout the season.

With so many teams competing on Sunday on Grand Final day, I encourage all members to get along in support of our Grand Finalists! What better way to enjoy Fathers Day with dad!!

Keep an eye out for the Mosman Swans tent at Macquarie Uni. The ideal gathering place between games. Go Swans!!

I'll see you at the footy!

Cheer, cheer, the red and the white!,

Justin Dethridge

President

2016 Grand Final Schedule (Sunday 4 September)

Venue: Macquarie University

9:05am U12 (Div 3) Mosman Swans v Hornsby Berowra Eagles (Gwilliam Oval)

10:05am U11 (North) Mosman Swans v St Ives (Campbell Field)

1:30pm U15 (Div 3) WMS v Forest Lions (Northern Oval)

1:50pm U15 (Div 1) WMS v East Sydney (University Oval)

Venue: Olds Park (Forest Road, Penshurst)

10:05am U14 (Div 3) WMS v Penshurst (Olds 1)

3:10pm U17 (Div 2) WMS v Glebe (Olds 1)

100 Game Milestone - Isadora McLeay

Middle Head Oval, Round 15:

Celebrations for the 100 game milestone by Mosman Swan warrior, Isadora McLeay! The first of our girls to reach 100 games and she is just 12 years old! Inspirational Isadora.

Five years into the development of our youth girls program both Mosman Swans Youth Girls teams finished on top of the ladder in their respective competitions. In the final home game for the season, 12 year old Isadora McLeay recorded her 100th game for the club. Routinely playing U13 boys, U14 and U18 youth girls on any given Sunday, this is a young lady who plays footy with fire in her belly, passion in her heart, a smile on her face and red & white ribbons in her hair!

The most beautiful aspect of her celebration was that she shared the day with elder sister Cordelia, who played her 50th game in the very same match. Remarkable stuff by Cordelia and Isadora and its inspiring to observe their love for the game and their approach to their footy and the comradre they encourage in their team mates.

All time games record - Brodie Hurrell

Being a humble guy and grand final week, I am certain Brodie would not want any fanfare, but regardless, we acknowledge Brodie's achievement in advance with pride. The second of Andrew and Kerin's three children, he first joined the Mosman Swans as a five year old. Brother to current record holder and two-time Club Champion (2009-2011) and 2016 U14 Youth Girls coach Nic and this season's U18 Youth Girls Best & Fairest, Zoe. Son to former club President, current Regional Committee Chair and U18 Youth Girls Coach & 'mother of the decade' Kerin; the poor bugger never had a chance!

The Hurrell family's record of achievement is evidently set as high as their willingness to contribute to this club and the footy community in general (very high indeed). What a wonderful Milestone for Brodie and what a year by the extraordinary Hurrell family!

So it will be business as usual for Brodie for he rest of the week, but is an amazing achievement for a young man who by birth-right was always going to be a Mosman Swans/WMS champion. Well played Brodie. Outstanding!

Man of action. Brodie Hurrell, poised to become the Mosman Swans all-time games record holder this weekend!

Youth Girls Season Wrap

Both our U14s and U18s girls teams bowed out of the finals on Sunday, ending a magnificent season. Not the ending to the season we were hoping for but nonetheless, a fitting way to go out - in magnificent sunshine on spectacular Middle Head oval with the girls giving their all out on the field as they have done all season.

From the clubs perspective it has been a sensational year, with both girls teams finishing the home and away season as minor premiers. Mosman was the only club in Sydney to have both girls teams finish the year in the top 3. That is an indication of the strength of the girls program at this club, as acknowledged by the competition last Monday night where our girls we so well represented amongst those adjudged as the Best & Fairest.

In some respects it is not only the end of the season but the end of an era. Mosman Swans senior players Ellie Skipper and Erin McKinnon have played their final game for Mosman Swans after 5 years with the Club. Both are foundation members of the inaugural girls team of 2012. Both have been wonderful players and inspiring leaders and have done much to cement the important role of girls footy into the fabric of this club. Congratulations Ellie and Erin.

As a footnote to a wonderful junior career, this Saturday Erin plays in the U18s Australian All Stars match in Melbourne as a curtain raiser to the final womens exhibition match before the introduction next year of the AFL Women's League. Best wishes Erin!

2016 Minor Premiers: Mosman Swans U18 Girls - a wonderful season!

AFL Sydney Harbour Awards Night

Last Monday night representatives from both our youth girls and youth boys teams were among the competitions Best & Fairest winners at the annual Sydney Harbour AFL awards (as voted by the umpires at the conclusion of each game throughout the season (3,2,1). An outstanding result in a competition-wide process.

Mosman Swans scooped the pool in U18 Youth Girls Div1 with 3 of the 4 awards going to our girls:

• Nicky Steele and Erin McKinnon - equal 3rd runner up Best and Fairest
• Zoe Hurrell - Best and Fairest (an incredible award for a very humble 14 yr old player). Remarkably, three years ago Zoe won the U13 B&F as an 11 year old!.

In the U14 Div 1 Youth Girls, rising star Isadora McLeay received Runner Up Best and Fairest.

Also recognised were Ellie Skipper, Blaise Miller-Hill, Nicky Steele, Meadhbh Gallagher and Zoe Hurrell, each named in the U18 Youth Girls Representative All Stars team, as a result of their performance in the Regional Representative carnival in June. Not to be outdone by his B&F winning daughter Zoe, former club President and U18 Youth Girls co-coach Andrew Hurrell was named as U18 All Stars coach. Congratulations all.

Not to be overshadowed by our girls, also receiving special recognition for a wonderful season on Monday night were three representatives from our U14, U15 and U17 youth boys teams.

Following serious injury in 2015 Harrison Garrett has returned to footy this year and seemingly has not lost any of his magic due the forced layoff. No stranger to footy accolades, the award this season must be all the sweeter for Harrison given the frustration of missing sport for almost 12 months through the actions of another. 2016 Best & Fairest Runner Up. Congratulations Harrison!

Jayden Alderson has dominated the midfield in our U15-3 side this season. He has proudly worn the tag "general" at both game day and training. He is an organiser and with his midfield mates, won nearly every middle field battle during the season - no doubt the catalyst for his team winning the minor premiership and making the Grand Final on Sunday. According to Coach Steve Netting "like Diesel Williams, not gifted with a huge amount of speed, he works hard, tackles hard, does the hard things, gets down on his hands and knees, pumps out hand balls and just gets the job done, week after week". Jayden can be proud of his improvement over the season. He has worked hard on his fitness and gets back and helps the back-line. A strong and valuable leader. Great season! Well done Jayden!

Angus Levy has been described as a "one man wall in the backline", with good hands and kicks the ball 55 metres. When the ball is on the ground, he is known for tapping it deftly in front of himself though traffic for 30 metres or more. Combine that with his long kick and he turned many a defence into attack. U17-3 3rd Best & Fairest. Congratulations Angus!

In addition to the individual honours, Josh Rayner, James Loughlan, Riley Sanders, and Thomas Drum were named in the U15 Representative All Stars team, as a result of their performances in the Regional Representative carnival in June. Congratulations boys on a fine season!

2016 AFL Sydney Harbour Best & Fairest Winners

U14 Div 1 Youth Girls Isadora McLeay 2nd Best & Fairest

U14 Div 1 Youth Boys Harrison Garrett Joint Runner up (Best & Fairest)

U15 Div 3 Youth Boys Jayden Alderson Runner up (Best & Fairest)

U17 Div 3 Youth Boys Angus Levy 3rd Best & Fairest

U18 Div 1 Youth Girls Zoe Hurrell Best & Fairest

U18 Div 1 Youth Girls Erin Mckinnon Joint 3rd Best & Fairest

U18 Div 1 Youth Girls Nicky Steele Joint 3rd Best & Fairest

Auskick Season Wrap

In order to sustain the club's growth and ensure ongoing performance we continue to work hard to ensure the base of the club is strong. In addition to the focus around competitive age football, we maintain a keen eye on the development of our youngest members. This season we had circa 200 kids in our Auskick program and for the first time our Superkick kids competed in an U8's competition giving our 7 & 8 year olds their first taste of match-like conditions against a real opponent. This is a strong group of keen young footballers coming through who are well coached and well led. The future is bright indeed.

ABO Sunday 21 August: Auskick Presentation Day

The Auskick season is now wrapped up for the 2016 season and we thank all involved for making the Auskick program such a success. In particular, on behalf of the entire club I pay tribute to Peter and Christina Tonkin who have led the Auskick program for the last three years, having been involved since 2012. Under their leadership Auskick has thrived and is one of the most positive elements in the life of this club. As their son Jason graduates next season into junior footy Peter will become involved in the U9's program. A wonderful contribution. Sincere thanks to the Tonkin family!

2016 Presentation events - Save the date!

Junior teams Presentation Day - U9's, U10's, U11's, U12's &U13's

When: Sunday 11 September

Where: Warringah Bowling Club, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman

Time: 9:00am-10:30am - U9's & U10's (all teams)

11:00am-12:30am - U11's, U12's & U13's (all teams)

Youth teams Presentation Day - U14's, U14 YG's, U15's, U17's, &U18 YG's

When: Monday 12 September (evening)

Where: Mosman RSL Club, Military Road, Mosman

Time: 6:30pm (all teams)

EMK Tour at ABO

For our non-competitive aged players (U9-U10's) Sunday 14 August was packed with action at both Middle Head and Allan Boarder Ovals -

The U10 age group hosted the 100 strong East Malvern Knights touring party at ABO in the return leg of the traditional ‘Twin City Challenge”. The event involved a series of games preceded by a dinner on Saturday evening. A wonderful tradition and one keenly anticipated by all involved! The games were tough, fair encounters and a great measure of our progress relative to the Victorian's. Our guests noted how strong the Mosman Swans teams were and that the Mosman Swans improvement was remarkable.

Also on Sunday the U9’s hosted the North Shore U9’s Gala Day at Middle Head Oval. A round robin format, 20 lower north shore teams competed across 20 games between 8:00am-1:00pm. So much action. Go Swans!