Even after giving the umpires a “fair bit of grief” in running battles this season, the whistle blowers couldn’t deny Footscray defender Andrew Monte a third Hockey Victoria premier league best and fairest award.
Monte made it back-to-back Fin McNab trophies and stood atop the podium as the top flight’s most valuable player for the third time, having first won the award more than a decade ago as a Greensborough player.
The 33-year-old veteran said he went to the league’s presentation night with little expectation of repeating as the champion player.
“I was pretty surprised because I didn’t have quite as good a season,’’ Monte said.
‘‘I felt like I gave the umpires a fair bit of grief this year, too.
“Individually, it doesn’t get any better and I was pretty rapt when they gave me the award; it’s nice to get one after a long, hard season.”
Every week, Monte makes the long trek from the New South Wales border town of Corowa with his girlfriend Erin to play for the Bulldogs.
The experienced campaigner was brought to the club by coach Travis Brooks to impart his knowledge to a young and exciting playing list still finding its way in the top flight.
Monte thinks having to take on a heavier workload than he might at a premiership- contending side has brought something new to his game in the twilight of his career.
“The club has brought the best out of me,” Monte said. “We haven’t had such a strong team, so every game you’ve got to make sure you’re on your own game, otherwise you can get found out in this competition.
“Consistency comes with experience as well and that’s what I’ve been able to provide Footscray a bit of.”
Footscray finished eighth with eight wins and four draws from 22 games.
The Bulldogs were neither in the finals hunt nor in relegation trouble in Brooks’ last season of his coaching contract.
The building blocks are in place for the club to enjoy sustained success, but Monte is urging the talented youngsters to make it happen.
“The kids really need to have a look at where they’re at and where they want to be,” Monte said.
“There’s a lot of hard work in between that and they’ve got to be willing to take that on and want to take the next step up to become consistent hockey players.’’
Monte made a name for himself in the premier league as a midfielder but was named in this year’s all-star team at right back.
The elder statesman of the Footscray team has no plans on retirement with 300 games on the horizon.
“My body is still able, I’m still fighting fit and I don’t get too sore after games,” he said. “That makes me want to keep going and see how much I can get out of myself.”
Leah Merrett (Footscray) and Danielle Schubach (Altona) were named in the women’s all-star team. Altona’s Ian Bartlett was named administrator of the year.
