Out With A Bang

2017 is officially done and dusted, and what an evening it was last Saturday with club holding its final formal gathering for the year - the season wind up.

With another sensational hospitality effort from big Al Jebediah Fulurija and his team, over 60 people gathered at the Midnight Fox to celebrate what was the Phantoms' 2017 season.

While much was spoken about the challenges of the past year, everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed themselves and celebrated the individual achievements the lucky few who claimed awards.

Check out the pictures from the night

Michael Supda Spadanuda became the club's Life Member Inductee for 2017. The ever jovial big man, having played his 100th match in Phatoms' colours this season, was a worthy recipient after countless years of service to the club, every one of them with a smile on his face. No report however on whether Spud will be working on his handball skills over the summer.

Mark Azza Azzopardi was crowned Tom Swift for 2017, for his efforts in assisting the club finished on top of the cards leader board for the year. Azza rightly pointing out yellow was his colour in 2017 - not red - and will be back in 2018 without any colourful tinge to his game day.

Da Germans blitzkrieged the Choke The Chicken. Team Atti, H, Lukey & Frankie claiming the coveted award without needed to burn down the kitchen.

Nick Bocca Bocardo, Steve Rossi Ross, Supda, Frank Freo Freeman, Phil Pasty White-Parsons and John Prez Atkinson was also honoured for their milestone games achievements in 2017.

Luke Lukey Zammit was recognised for his breakout season with the Supers Coach's award for his tireless efforts, hard running and continued lack of self-preservation on the field.

Supers Barry Haydinger award for the the B&F went to "new" ruckman Chris Chriso Heary. Having been thrust into the centre in 2017, Chriso's dominance was regonised by his fellow team mates claiming the award by 5 votes over his nearest rival.

Our host, and everyone's favourite 5th Jeb, Almin Fulurija was given the 2017 coaches award by Masters maestro Stuart Wild. His coach citing his team mantra mentality, always playing on the opposition's biggest bloke.

While Jamie Connelly, for the second season in a row, was named the John Branch Masters Best and Fairest, one of the best kicks in the club seamingly getting better with age.

Possibly one of the toughest blokes in the club Dave Chainsaw Lorimer was named Peter Wilko Wilkinson's coach's award recipient. The Chainsaw having another stellar year in purple that saw his rack up possessions not just with the seniors but across all three teams.

And to wrap up the awards, one of the youngest old blokes the club has, versatile hard running utility Jos Baulkman was named the Peter Lucy Hams winner for Seniors B&F in 2017 after a standout year in the seniors.

Special mention was made thanking all the coaches for their efforts again in 2017, Oigs, Wilko and club coach Wildy who despite the constant grumbles from the training group, turned up each week to punish us at training - run behind the goals!

To the club committee, TMac, Jrn Prez, Cribby, Rossy and bar manager Beechy, you make the club tick and without you all we'd be lost.

And finally to our fearless leader, never a better bloke there was in our President John Atkinson, who has confirmed he will again be nominating for 2018.