Presentation Day 2011
Presentation day is always the biggest event on the Hawks calendar. It’s a summary of the season that was, recalling the highs and lows on and off the field and displaying them in pictures, videos and stories. This year kicked off ominously with the usual terrible videos of the presenters – Katsy the dancing Turkish midget, the spewing Duncs and Choco doing YMCA with 4 male strippers. The scene was set.
The seconds vote count had a number of high vote getters, Coxy and Suthy were well positioned in the final run in – but it was Tapas who took the title from Sheldon, both having a great year in the gold and brown.
However, presentation day is not just about the best and fairest. The lookalikes, guess who and social wrap up were all met with raucous laughter as we went from pics of the boys in lycra to a 15 year old Pauly singing in Oliver twist!
The premiership best and fairest consists of Aussie players and a separate count for European players, demonstrating their importance to the club. The Aussie count begun with Luke storming out of the blocks, posting a couple of best on grounds. The charge then came from Jase the freight train with best on grounds in rounds 4 and 5. With Luke leaving halfway through the season, the rest of the count was a one horse race with Jase pulling away to win a well deserved B&F. Runner up was the ever enduring Katsy who had a great season, consistently polling well. Luke was left in 3rd position and 4th position was impressively secured by Suthy after only playing the second half with the 1s.
The EU count was hotly contested between two stand out players. BT and Joey Watkins had been pillars of strength the whole year down back for the Hawks, both frequently being called upon to man up key position, experienced aussie players and neither ever having their colours lowered in the face of barrages of forward thrusts from opposition sides. It was BT who led by a single vote at the half way mark, but Joey bounced home to take the title. Jay finished the season in 3rd position followed by the two Scottish lads Dunc and Gav.
The night wasn’t finished there however; further titles were awarded to Katsy for goal kicking, Diver for being the only normal bloke in the squad and the ‘Jimmy the Human’ space cadet award was given to Windscreens notwithstanding a 5 minute tribute to Tapas’ 2011 adventures.
Pauly was duly granted life membership with the Hawks for his services to the club over 5 seasons and Gilly and Patty took out the coaches awards for always standing up and being counted when it mattered.
The most important title for the year is invariably the Club Champion award for players/ supporters who went above and beyond the call of duty. The award is typified by one Hawker in particular, so it was through a series of tributes that the award was dubbed the Nick Katsivelos Clubman award. The deserved winner this year was Dan, for appreciation of his continued efforts off the field, organising no end of social events and reminding us that we’re all here for a good laugh.
The official part of the night finished up with thanks for the players, committee and supporters who have all contributed through the year and without whom, the club would not be able to run.
Onwards to the Underdog we went, with everyone packing out the sponsor venue, dancing the night away and giving plenty of good material to be used for presentation night 2012!