Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 12 of 32

Thread: Troy Luff Medal - the finals

  1. #1
    On the Rookie List Charlie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Hammond's old office, Stargate Command
    Posts
    4,101

    Troy Luff Medal - the finals

    Hello and welcome, for the last time, to the Troy Luff Medal countdown for 2004. Tonight, we cover the club?s two finals; one a healthy win against a side in good form, the other a forgettable performance that was not the way we hoped to finish the season. Both, however, will be valuable experience, whether the experience was pleasant or harsh.

    As we head into September, Barry Hall has already won a Troy Luff Medal. Only one player can catch him ? and Brett Kirk cannot surpass Baz, only join him at the top. Regardless of the result of tonight?s votes, both players deserve our applause for their efforts in 2004. If Stuart Maxfield does indeed decide to step down from the captaincy, either player would be a worthy successor.

    Here?s the leader board as at the end of the season:
    60 ? Barry Hall
    50 ? Brett Kirk
    31 ? Ryan O?Keefe
    26 ? Leo Barry
    24 ? Jude Bolton
    22 ? Paul Williams
    14 ? Paul Bevan
    13 ? Amon Buchanan
    10 ? Nick Davis, Adam Goodes, Tadhg Kennelly, Ben Mathews

    The club?s September campaign began well when they booked a home elimination final, but they were no doubt nervous about their opponents. Rather than drawing the up and down Bombers or Fremantle, it was the West Coast Eagles ? who had finished the home and away season with a rush after looking out of finals contention ? who finished seventh.

    In round eight, at Subiaco, Phillip Matera had cut loose with five goals. The work of Matthew Nicks, however, would keep Matera kickless, and the Eagles as a whole could manage only four goals. West Coast started better, but couldn?t get the score on the board, kicking waywardly. As the heavens opened and put on a sound and light show that, on reflection, was much more entertaining than the Grand Final ?entertainment? three weeks later, the Swans wrested control in the second quarter. The storm got so close the game was almost called off at half time, which would have given the Swans a win.

    Chris Judd threatened to cut loose in the second half, but not enough of his teammates stood up to support him. Like they so often did in 2004, the Swans closed the game down, coasting to a comfortable 41-point win. In the midfield, Paul Williams was the standout, gathering 31 possessions in one of his best games of the season.

    The votes:
    5 ? Paul Williams
    4 ? Matthew Nicks
    3 ? Craig Bolton
    2 ? Brett Kirk
    1 ? Adam Goodes

    Well, that?s it. Brett Kirk?s season has been something to remember, and he thoroughly deserves his All-Australian selection and standout performance in the Brownlow Medal. This year, however, the Troy Luff Medal goes to Barry Hall! Congratulations to both players, for both of them certainly deserve it.

    After their strong win, the Swans travelled to Melbourne for their first Friday night game of the season. In round eleven, the Swans had completely outclassed the then unbeaten Saints, and the week before Brisbane had dished out an almighty welcome to finals football to the young St Kilda side. The Swans went into the game as slight favourites, with the prize for winning being a preliminary final berth against Port Adelaide.

    Unfortunately, however, it was not to be. The Swans crashed out in disappointing style; the confidence and ability they had shown in the wet against West Coast deserted them, and the season ended in somewhat meek circumstances, smashed by 51 points. Unlike round 11, when Fraser Gehrig had been held goalless by Leo Barry, he was the matchwinner in September. He kicked six goals, on his way to 100 the week after against Port. Robert Harvey and Nick Riewoldt also starred for the opposition.

    For the Swans, perhaps the most heartening thing to come from the match was the performance of Amon Buchanan. His 16 disposal, one goal performance was one of his best yet, and showed that he has seized his chance in 2004 and earned his spot as a regular in the Swans side. The performance sealed his spot in this year?s Troy Luff Medal top ten. Also performing strongly was Paul Bevan, who rose from obscurity through the rookie list to show that he will be a part of the Swans line-up for many years. Both players can be proud of their performances in 2004.

    The votes:
    5 ? Jude Bolton
    4 ? Amon Buchanan
    3 ? Paul Bevan
    2 ? Brett Kirk
    1 ? Stuart Maxfield

    Well, that concludes the Troy Luff Medal for the year. Congratulations must go, obviously, to Barry Hall, who was ? in my opinion ? clearly the best player of the year. There is no shame in coming second to him, and Brett Kirk can also hold his head high. Ryan O?Keefe earned his third place; stepping up to the plate in the forward line with Michael O?Loughlin and Nick Davis missing extended parts of the season.

    Jude Bolton, Leo Barry and Paul Williams once again led the way, Bevan and Buchanan, as mentioned, were the standout youngsters. Matthew Nicks resurrected his career. Late in the season, the Troy Luff Medal results showed the development of Luke Ablett and Stephen Doyle. Earlier, it was Heath James who showed that he has what it takes to repay the faith. For Ben Mathews, Jared Crouch and Craig Bolton, it was another season of doing what they do best, doing their jobs quietly and letting the accolades go to others, and yet they, too, received their deserved recognition when they performed at their best.
    The Troy Luff Medal rewards only one player this year ? and he is the one who deserves it most ? but it recognises many.

    The final voting tally:
    60 ? Barry Hall
    54 ? Brett Kirk
    31 ? Ryan O?Keefe
    29 ? Jude Bolton
    27 ? Paul Williams
    26 ? Leo Barry
    17 ? Paul Bevan, Amon Buchanan
    11 ? Adam Goodes, Matthew Nicks
    10 ? Nick Davis, Tadhg Kennelly, Ben Mathews
    9 ? Michael O?Loughlin, Stuart Maxfield
    8 ? Luke Ablett, Jared Crouch
    5 ? Craig Bolton, Heath James, Jason Saddington
    4 ? Stephen Doyle
    3 ? Nic Fosdike
    2 ? Jason Ball
    1 ? Adam Schneider

    Charlie
    We hate Anthony Rocca
    We hate Shannon Grant too
    We hate scumbag Gaspar
    But Leo WE LOVE YOU!

  2. #2
    On the Rookie List Charlie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Hammond's old office, Stargate Command
    Posts
    4,101
    The Troy Luff 'Medal' is not a medal, per se. There IS an actual award, but it is not a medal, but a custom-made book put together by Bron, without whose help the award wouldn't be what it is (thanks Bron! ).

    Included in this book are messages of congratulations to the winner, who can read them and get some idea of what the team - and their own individual performances - mean to the fans who watch them every week.

    If you would like to pass on your message to Barry Hall, please post it in this thread.

    Charlie
    We hate Anthony Rocca
    We hate Shannon Grant too
    We hate scumbag Gaspar
    But Leo WE LOVE YOU!

  3. #3
    Veterans List Jeffers1984's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Drummoyne..INNER WEST BABY!! (Bay 29 SCG)
    Posts
    4,564
    Congratulations Bazza on winning this award. You truely stepped up to another awe inspiring level and i hope you can continue to improve to another level next season!!

    Onwards to Victory!
    Official Driver Of The "Who Gives A @@@@ As The Player Will Get Delisted Anyway" Bandwagon.


  4. #4
    On the Rookie List
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Front and Centre
    Posts
    579
    Congrats must go to you Bazz,an absolutely outstanding season.You are now one of the 'elite' forwards(and not just full forward anymore) of the competition,hence your selection in the All Australian team again.Tremendous effort,keep up the good work and hopefully it pays off for the team and us supporters for a successful 2005,well done.
    The Future is Bright,The Future is Red And White.

  5. #5
    What the frack! cruiser's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Grounded
    Posts
    6,105
    Congratulations Barry Hall. You've had an awesome year and been a joy to watch. Am so glad you came to Sydney and I look forward to your many years as a Swan. I hope 2005 is even better for you.
    Occupational hazards:
    I don't eat animals since discovering this ability. I used to. But one day the lamb I was eating came through to me and ever since then I haven't been able to eat meat.
    - animal psychic Amanda de Warren

  6. #6
    Senior Player Plugger46's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    3,674
    Sensational performance Bazza! Very close to being the best footballer in the competition.
    Bloods

    "Lockett is the best of all time" - Robert Harvey, Darrel Baldock, Nathan Burke, Kevin Bartlett, Bob Skilton

  7. #7
    Senior Player Bleed Red Blood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    olympic village
    Posts
    2,057
    Well done Harry, great season from you.

  8. #8
    A Blood to the bootstraps The Boot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    20 minutes walk to my seat on O'Reilly wing.
    Posts
    544
    This is a prestigious award, meticulously calibrated over the season by a non-umpire - thereby enhancing its status tenfold!

    Congratulations Barry.
    Good men do good deeds. Evil men do evil deeds. But it takes religion for a good man to do evil deeds.

  9. #9
    The quarterback swansrule100's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    4,538
    Well done barry, hopefully your reward will be the future captaincy of the club
    Theres not much left to say

  10. #10
    On the Rookie List Ryan Bomford's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    NSW - ex VIC
    Posts
    652
    Thanks Barry - for taking the chance on Sydney. This is just one of the many awards and accolades awaiting for you in the future.
    Last edited by Ryan Bomford; 1st October 2004 at 01:54 PM.

  11. #11
    On the Rookie List
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Sin City
    Posts
    530
    Good on you Barry.Excellent year.May your wonderful form continue and take us to a premiership.

  12. #12
    McVeigh for Brownlow Site Admin RogueSwan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Coffs Harbour - home of Swans summer camp
    Posts
    4,587
    Well done Barry. An outstanding effort. A just reward for a magnificent season.
    "Fortunately, this is the internet, so knowing nothing is no obstacle to having an opinion!." Beerman 18-07-2017

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Single Sign On provided by vBSSO