For the first time in 11 years the TIO Minahan Medal has been awarded to two players. Toshie Kunoth (Rovers Football Club) and Daniel Stafford (South Football Club) both with 12 votes, have been named joint TIO Minahan Medal winners for 2018.
Since the inaugural Minahan Medal in 1947 on three separate occasions (1954, 1976 and 2007) two players have shared the Central Australian Football League (CAFL) best and fairest honours.
Kunoth is well-known for being an unstoppable weapon in the forward line for the Double Blues bagging an impressive 23 goals so far this season. Stafford is also no stranger to slotting goals with 21 to his name, but he was also recognised for his efforts both inside and outside the forward 50.
Meanwhile Kaitlyn Armstrong of Alkamilya Women’s claimed the honours for 2018 Margaret Liddle Medallist, thanks to her strong start at the beginning of the season. Armstrong got off to a quick start and impressively hung on to her lead to claim the medal, despite not polling a vote after Round 6 (Friday 22 June).
TDC Refrigeration and Electrical Reserves player, Mumpy Conway, narrowly etched out 2017 winner Jake Butler by four votes to claim the TDC Refrigeration Patrons Medal for his efforts on the field.
Ex-AFL player Liam Jurrah who played for Ti Tree last season before returning in a leadership role with Yuendumu, has been voted joint CAAC Edwin Pareroultja Medallist with Rhbair Woods (Ti Tree) in the Country League.
After being named Hot Stuff for the Sporting Buff Community Cup Leading Goalkicker in 2015 and 2016, Dixon Abbott re-claims the title in 2018 in the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Community Cup.
Quitline Under 15 Best and Fairest winner Copeland Ford, went away with the NT Thunder Academy Under 16s teams earlier this year, proving he’s a bright prospect.
The 2017 Quitline Under 15 Best and Fairest winner, Ariki Lowe has again been recognised for his efforts being selected for the World Team and by taking home the 2018 MacDonnell Regional Council Rising Star Award.
Up-and-coming boundary umpire, Jesse Woolford has taken out this year’s Golden Whistle Award. Woolford made her VFL W debut in Round 12 when NT Thunder took on Casey Demon at TIO Treager Park in July. The talented youngster is also a member of the AFLNT Umpiring Academy.
Rovers Football Club, who feature heavily in this weekend’s grand finals, have also defended their title and take home the TIO Professional Club Award for the second consecutive season.
Winners at the 2018 Minahan Medal Best and Fairest
TIO Seniors
TIO Minahan Medal – Toshie Kunoth (Rovers Football Club) and Daniel Stafford (South Alice Springs Football Club) – 12 votes
TIO Seniors Leading Goalkicker – Thomas Gorey – 51 goals – South Alice Springs Football Club
Yeperenye Shopping Centre CAWFL
Yeperenye Margaret Liddle Medal – Kaitlyn Armstrong – 12 votes – Alkamilya Women’s
Intersport Women’s Leading Goalkicker – Samantha Hoogeveen-Hill – 29 goals – Pioneer Football Club (E-Girls)
TDC Refrigeration and Electrical Reserves
TDC Refrigeration Patrons Medal – Mumpy Conway – 12 votes – South Alice Springs Football Club
Peter Kittle Reserves Leading Goalkicker – Daniel Myers – 30 goals – South Alice Springs Football Club
Country League
CAAC Edwin Pareroultja Medal – Liam Jurrah (Yuendumu Football Club) and Rhbair Woods (Ti Tree Football Club) – 10 votes
CAAC Country League Leading Goalkicker – Dylan Alice – 9 goals – Ltyentye Apurte Football Club
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Community Cup
CAAC Gus Williams Medal – Clive Coulthard – 6 votes – Areyonga Football Club
Hot Stuff for the Sporting Buff Community Cup Leading Goalkicker – Dixon Abbott – 10 goals – Areyonga Football Club
Quitline Country Under 18
Quitline Wenton Rubuntja Medal – Stanley Kenny – 10 votes – Western Aranda Football Club
Quitline Country Under 18 Leading Goalkicker – Travis McDonald – 8 goals – MacDonnell Districts Football Club
MacDonnell Regional Council Under 18
BIG4 Mac Range Caravan Park Muldoon Medal – Ishmale Nandy – 10 votes – Pioneer Football Club
MacDonnell Regional Council Rising Star Award – Ariki Lowe – Federal Football Club
TJ Signs Under 18 Leading Goalkicker – Lazarus Ryder – 27 goals – Rovers Football Club
Sports Centre Under 15
Quitline Under 15 Best and Fairest – Copeland Ford – 11 votes – Federal Football Club
AJ Services Under 15 Leading Goalkicker – Anthony Wilyuka – 13 goals – Rovers Football Club
Other Awards
Life Member Induction – Robert Clarke – Rovers Football Club
Thrithy Harrison Trophy – Emma Stubbs – South Alice Springs Football Club
TIO Golden Whistle Award – Jesse Woolford
Spirit of Football Award – Dylan Barry – Rovers Football Club
Batchelor Institute Professional Club Award – Titjikala Football Club
TIO Professional Club Award –Rovers Football Club
