Greensborough coach Robert Hyde was named the 2014 Northern Region Senior Coach of the Year when the Northern branch of the Australian Football Coaches Association held its annual Coach of the Year Awards on September 3.
Hyde won the award from fellow nominees Travis Hodgson (Fitzroy Stars), Craig Hunter (Heidelberg), Matthew McLennan (Northcote Park reserves) and Stephen Saddington (North Heidelberg).
Under the guidance of Hyde, Greensborough has been the competition’s most improved side in 2014 – winning 15 of 19 matches, following just six victories for an eighth-place finish in 2013.
The result was a second-place finish on the Division 1 ladder, ahead of this weekend’s second semi final against Heidelberg. The winner will take the first place in this year’s Grand Final, to be played on September 20.
Last Saturday, Greensborough won its first senior final since 1991 when it outlasted Montmorency in a 13-point result in the qualifying final.
Hyde was also recognised for his efforts in developing the club’s younger players, with more than 60 per cent of Greensborough’s senior list coming from its junior program.
Darebin Falcons coach Jessica Dal Pos was named the Female Coach of the Year after guiding her side to the Under-18 Girls premiership.
The Falcons claimed a fifth-successive premiership in remarkable circumstances this year, winning the Grand Final against South Morang in extra time after scores were level at the completion of normal time.
It was a sensational effort against the previously-unbeaten Lions side, and followed an equally gripping victory over Diamond Creek Women’s in last year’s premiership decider.
West Preston under-11 coach Brett Pollard was awarded the 2014 Junior Coach of the Year for his efforts in developing the young Roosters Under-11 Green side.
Under Pollard’s guidance, West Preston claimed the Under-11 Green minor premiership and advanced to the preliminary final.
Yarrambat stalwart Rob Windsor was awarded the Contribution to Football (Male) award for this lifelong service to the Yarrambat Football Club.
Special guests on the night included Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell, Hawthorn premiership player Paul Hudson, former AFL player David Rodan, Carlton assistant coach Rob Wiley and Melbourne University footballer Louise Stephenson, who was selected by the Western Bulldogs in the AFL Women’s Draft.
Here are the nominees for each award category. The winners are in bold.
SENIOR
Robert Hyde – Greensborough (Winner)
Travis Hodgson – Fitzroy Stars
Matthew McLennan – Northcote Park
Stephen Saddington – North Heidelberg
Craig Hunter – Heidelberg
YOUTH
Paul Broderick – Fitzroy (Winner)
Steven Musico – Mill Park
Mat Robinson – South Morang
Masaki Miki – Heidelberg
Paul King – St Mary’s Greensborough
Robert Bolzon – St Mary’s Greensborough
Brendan Andrews – Keon Park Stars
Kevin Lewis – Hurstbridge
David Witchell – Banyule
Scott Plant – Macleod
Dale Mayne – Banyule
FEMALE
Jessica Dal Pos – Darebin Women’s Sports Club (Winner)
Abbie Galea – West Preston Lakeside
Maddy Haydar – Ivanhoe
JUNIOR
Brett Pollard – West Preston (Winner)
Bernie Girolami – St Mary’s Greensborough
Brian Anderson – Heidelberg
Mark Kankaanpaa – Yarrambat
John McInerney – Heidelberg
Frasier Neilson – Banyule
Mark Frost – Banyule
Tim Donohue – Ivanhoe
Darren Rigg – Montmorency
AUSKICK
Andrew Green – Northcote Auskick (Winner)
Darren Driscoll – Fitzroy/Carlton Auskick
Michael Christiansen – Mill Park Auskick
Lisa Baggio – Research Auskick
Matthew Meehan – Preston Auskick
Tony Raddino – Mill Park
Jodi Weightman – Preston Auskick
James Merrett – Watsonia Auskick
Adam Sevas – Mill Park Auskick
AUSKICK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Darren Rigg – Montmorency Auskick (Winner)
MALE CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL
Rob Windsor – Yarrambat FC (Winner)
FEMALE CONTRIBUTION TO FOOTBALL
Jo Hogan – Fitzroy JFC/Fitzroy Carlton Auskick (Winner)
Jodie Ward-Davies – Watsonia Auskick
Nadine Christall – Wallan
