BY NATHAN DOLE
EAGLEHAWK on-baller Noah Wheeler has joined many of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s greats as the Michelsen Medallist for the 2023 football season.
The Hawks’ on-baller was a runaway leader as he was adjudged by the umpires as best afield in the opening three matches as votes were called on Sunday night by Kylie Ellis at Bendigo Club.
After 12 rounds it was Wheeler who was well clear on 18 votes from Gisborne rover Flynn Lakey, 14.
Next best were Golden Square ruck-rover Tom Toma, South Bendigo ruckman Macgregor Cameron, and Castlemaine’s John Watson with 11 votes.
Best afield in the 15th round at home against Kangaroo Flat gave Wheeler a five-vote buffer at three rounds to be called.
Those on the Hawks’ table cheered loudly when another three votes for Wheleer were called from the round 16 match at Kyneton.
He had moved to 24 votes and could not be caught.
Wheeler was presented with the medal by Bruce Michelsen and Bendigo FNL chair Carol McKinstry.
A third-year player with the Hawks, Wheeler took to the presentation dais with his left knee in a brace.
After being injured in the 18th round, Wheeler fought on to play in both of the Hawks’ finals matches.
He damaged his ACL in the first semi loss to Strathfieldsaye, but has vowed “to be back” with the Borough.
A medal victory is not new to Wheeler as he was the Bendigo Pioneers club champion in 2018.
There were several factors behind his move from playing for Echuca to Eaglehawk.
Among them was Hawks’ coach Travis Matheson who had coached Wheeler at under-16s level with the Pioneers.
“There were quite a few of the boys from Pioneers days who were at Eaglehawk.
“I thought why not give the Bendigo league a go.
“It was only going to be one season, but it’s such a great club that I have played on.”
Wheeler said playing before the passionate and vocal Eaglehawk fans at Canterbury Park was an incredible experience.
“There is not much like it. They give plenty of support to the boys.”
Wheeler’s football journey included a stint with Northern Blues in the VFL.
“It was a challenging experience.
“Footy is a tough game, especially when your not enjoying it as much as you want to.
“Being with Eaglehawk is incredible.
“I started to enjoy footy again.”
Although the run for premiership glory was ended in the first semi, Wheeler is confident the Hawks can be a strong contender in ’24 and beyond.
Injury will keep him on the sidelines for some time, but he is determined to play for the Two Blues once again.
Leading vote-getters in the Michelsen Medal for the 2023 season:
24 Noah Wheeler, Eaglehawk.
22 Flynn Lakey, Gisborne.
18 James Coghlan, Sandhurst.
18 Tom Toma, Golden Square.
16 Sam Conforti, Sandhurst.
14 Lachlan Sharp, Strathfieldsaye.
13 Hamish Hosking, Sandhurst.
13 Macgregor Cameron, South Bendigo.
12 Brad Bernacki, Gisborne.
11 Brody Haddow, South Bendigo.
11 Ricky Monti, Golden Square.
11 John Watson, Castlemaine.
10 Lewin Davis, Eaglehawk.
10 Luke Webb, Strathfieldsaye.
The David McCann Memorial champion club award again went to Sandhurst.
The night included the presentation of the Ron Best Medal for leading goalkicker to Strathfieldsaye Storm star Lachlan Sharp.
It was the third time Sharp had won the prestigious award.
He finished the home-and-away series on 93 goals across 16 matches and ended the season on 98 goals.
Among the many highs have been four premiership wins, a Michelsen Medal in 2017, and this year’s 200th senior game for Storm.
A tally of 55 goals by Eaglehawk’s Ryan Wellington clinched this season’s reserves goalkicking award in the Harmac Homes-backed competition.
Wellington and his Hawks’ team-mates have won their way to the grand final where they will meet Sandhurst.
Captain of Sandhurst’s team, Alex Carr kicked 52 goals to claim the goalkicking title in the SportsPower under-18s competitition.
ROUND-BY-ROUND & CLUB-BY-CLUB VOTING
GRAND finalists Golden Square and Sandhurst claimed most Michelsen Medal votes for the senior footy fairest and best award in the 2023 Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.
Golden Square won the race on 86 votes from Sandhurst on 82.
In third place was Eaglehawk on 76 as on-baller Noah Wheeler polled 24 votes to join the Michelsen Medal club.
Next best were Strathfieldsaye, 64, and South Bendigo on 61.
A look at the round-by-round voting for the prestigious award:
Round one
Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye
3 Callum McCarty, S’saye; 2 Braidon Blake, Gis.; 1 Riley Wilson, S’saye.
Golden Square v Kyneton
3 Terence Reeves, GS; 2 Thomas Toma, GS; 1 Jayden Burke, GS.
Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat
3 Ryan O’Keefe, KF; 2 Mitch Trewhella, KF; 1 Isaac Carracher, Sh.
Maryborough v Castlemaine
3 John Watson, Cm; 2 Joel Swatton, Mb; 1 Matt Filo, Cm.
South Bendigo v Eaglehawk
3 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 2 Nathan Horbury, SB; 1 Liam Marciano, Eh.
Round two
Castlemaine v Gisborne
3 Brodie Byrne, Cm; 2 Liam Spear, Gis.; 1 Jed Denahy, Gis.
Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo
3 Nathan Horbury, SB; 2 Mitch Trewhella, KF; 1 Samuel Griffiths, SB.
Kyneton v Sandhurst
3 James Coghlan, Sh; 2 Hamish Hosking, Sh; 1 Noah Walsh, Sh.
Eaglehawk v Maryborough
3 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 2 Connor Dalgleish, Eh; 1 Ben Thompson, Eh.
Strathfieldsaye v Golden Square
3 Jack Geary, GS; 2 Jack Hickman, GS; 1 Callum McCarty, S’saye.
Round three
Sandhurst v Golden Square
3 Lachlan Tardrew, Sh; 2 Hamish Hosking, Sh; 1 Zach Pallpratt, Sh.
Maryborough v Kangaroo Flat
3 Liam Collins, KF; 2 Mitch Trewhella, KF; 1 Bailey Edwards, Mb.
South Bendigo v Kyneton
3 Brody Haddow, SB; 2 Harrison Huntley, Kyn.; 1 Cooper Leon, SB.
Gisborne v Eaglehawk
3 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 2 Dylan Hanley, Eh; 1 Cameron McGlashan, Eh.
Castlemaine v Strathfieldsaye
3 Jake Moorhead, S’saye; 2 John Watson, Cm; 1 Tim Hosking, S’saye.
Round four
Kyneton v Maryborough
3 Ethan Foreman, Kyn.; 2 Cameron Manuel, Kyn.; 1 Jake Summers, Kyn.
Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne
3 Sam Graham, Gis.; 2 Hayden Doricic, Gis.; 1 Liam Collins, KF.
Strathfieldsaye v Sandhurst
3 Andy Collins, Sh; 2 Jake Moorhead, S’saye; 1 James Coghlan, Sh.
Golden Square v South Bendigo
3 Macgregor Cameron, SB; 2 Cooper Leon, SB; 1 Jack Geary, GS.
Eaglehawk v Castlemaine
3 Ben Thompson, Eh; 2 Billy Evans, Eh; 1 Jarryn Geary, Eh.
Round five
Gisborne v Kyneton
3 Cameron Manuel, Kyn.; 2 Sam Graham, Gis.; 1 Harrison Huntley, Kyn.
Maryborough v Golden Square
3 Braydon Vaz, GS; 2 Joel Brett, GS; 1 Terence Reeves, GS.
South Bendigo v Sandhurst
3 Hamish Hosking, Sh; 2 Nathan Horbury, SB; 1 Noah Walsh, Sh.
Castlemaine v Kangaroo Flat
3 John Watson, Cm; 2 Mitch Trewhella, KF; 1 Liam Collins, KF.
Strathfieldsaye v Eaglehawk
3 Lewin Davis, Eh; 2 Darcy Richards, Eh; 1 Ben Thompson, Eh.
Round six
Kyneton v Castlemaine
No play
Sandhurst v Maryborough
3 Lachlan Wright, Sh; 2 Cooper Smith, Sh; 1 Noah Walsh, Sh.
Golden Square v Gisborne
3 Ricky Monti, GS; 2 Matt Compson, GS; 1 Ryan Hartley, GS.
South Bendigo v Strathfieldsaye
3 Daniel Clohesy, S’saye; 2 Brody Haddow, SB; 1 Shannon Geary, S’saye.
Kangaroo Flat v Eaglehawk
3 Cameron McGlashan, Eh; 2 Mitch Collins, KF; 1 Sam Barnes, KF.
Round seven
Maryborough v South Bendigo
3 Cooper Leon, SB; 2 Steven Stroobants, SB; 1 Alex Brown, Mb.
Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat
3 Luke Webb, S’saye; 2 Lachlan Sharp, S’saye; 1 Nicholas Keogh, KF.
Castlemaine v Golden Square
3 Joel Brett, GS; 2 Braydon Vaz, GS; 1 Brodie Browne-Kerr, Cm.
Gisborne v Sandhurst
3 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 2 James Coghlan, Sh; 1 Nick Stagg, Sh.
Eaglehawk v Kyneton
3 Ben Cameron, Kyn.; 2 Lewin Davis, Eh; 1 Cameron Manuel, Kyn.
Round eight
Maryborough v Strathfieldsaye
3 Callum McCarty, S’saye; 2 Lachlan Sharp, S’saye; 1 Luke Webb, S’saye.
Kyneton v Kangaroo Flat
3 Hamish Yunghanns, Kyn.; 2 Harrison Huntley, Kyn.; 1 James Orr, Kyn.
South Bendigo v Gisborne
3 Oscar White, SB; 2 Steven Stroobants, SB; 1 Nathan Horbury, SB.
Sandhurst v Castlemaine
3 John Watson, Cm; 2 Zach Pallpratt, Sh; 1 Noah Walsh, Sh.
Golden Square v Eaglehawk
3 Lewin Davis, Eh; 2 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 1 Jack Hickman, GS.
Round nine
Strathfieldsaye v Kyneton
3 Lachlan Sharp, S’saye; 2 Callum McCarty, S’saye; 1 Bode Stevens, S’saye.
Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square
3 Thomas Toma, GS; 2 Ryan Hartley, GS; 1 Jack Hickman, GS.
Castlemaine v South Bendigo
3 Macgregor Cameron, SB; 2 Brock Harvey, SB; 1 Brody Haddow, SB.
Gisborne v Maryborough
3 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 2 James Fox, Gis.; 1 Matthew Cassidy, Gis.
Eaglehawk v Sandhurst
3 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 2 Sam Conforti, Sh; 1 Clayton Holmes, Eh.
Round 10
Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst
3 Sam Conforti, Sh; 2 Noah Walsh, Sh; 1 Lee Coghlan, Sh.
Castlemaine v Maryborough
3 Matt Filo, Cm; 2 Samuel Reid, Mb; 1 Callum McConachy, Cm.
Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne
3 James Schischka, S’saye; 2 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 1 Baxter Slater, S’saye.
Kyneton v Golden Square
3 Thomas Toma, GS; 2 Ricky Monti, GS; 1 Jack Geary, GS.
Eaglehawk v South Bendigo
3 Billy Evans, Eh; 2 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 1 Cameron McGlashan, Eh.
Round 11
Sandhurst v Kyneton
3 James Coghlan, Sh; 2 Lachie Hood, Sh; 1 Hamish Hosking, Sh.
South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat
3 Brody Haddow, SB; 2 Macgregor Cameron (SB); 1 Nathan Horbury, SB.
Maryborough v Eaglehawk
3 Joel Mullen, Eh; 2 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 1 Kya Lanfranchi, Mb.
Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye
3 Thomas Toma, GS; 2 Matt Compston, GS; 1 Braydon Vaz, GS.
Gisborne v Castlemaine
3 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 2 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; 1 Braidon Blake, Gis.
Round 12
Kangaroo Flat v Maryborough
3 Jacob Lohmann, Mb; 2 Liam Collins, KF; 1 Kya Lanfranchi, Mb.
Kyneton v South Bendigo
3 Macgregor Cameron, SB; 2 Oscar White, SB; 1 Steven Stroobants, SB.
Golden Square v Sandhurst
3 Joel Brett, GS; 2 Sam Conforti, Sh; 1 Jon Coe, GS.
Strathfieldsaye v Castlemaine
3 Lachlan Sharp, S’saye; 2 Riley Wilson, S’saye; 1 Matt Filo, Cm.
Eaglehawk v Gisborne
3 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 2 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; 1 Billy Evans, Eh.
Round 13
Maryborough v Kyneton
3 Hamish Yunghanns, Kyn.; 2 Mitch Comben, Kyn.; 1 Tom Myers, Mb.
Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye
3 Sam Conforti, Sh; 2 Matt Wilkinson, Sh; 1 Hamish Hosking, Sh.
Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat
3 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; 2 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 1 Zac Denahy, Gis.
South Bendigo v Golden Square
3 Jack Hickman, GS; 2 Ricky Monti, GS; 1 Jake Thrum, GS.
Castlemaine v Eaglehawk
3 Dylan Hanley, Eh; 2 Sam Harper, Eh; 1 Kallen Geary, Eh.
Round 14
Kangaroo Flat v Castlemaine
3 Bailey Henderson, Cm ; 2 Ryan O’Keefe, KF; 1 Ethan Roberts, KF.
Sandhurst v South Bendigo
3 James Coghlan, Sh; 2 Oscar White, SB; 1 Hamish Hosking, Sh.
Golden Square v Maryborough
3 Hamish Morcom, GS; 2 Ricky Monti, GS; 1 Joel Brett, GS.
Kyneton v Gisborne
3 Cameron Manuel, Kyn.; 2 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; 1 Braidon Blake, Gis.
Eaglehawk v Strathfieldsaye
3 Charlie Langford, Eh; 2 Kallen Geary, Eh; 1 Jake Moorhead, S’saye.
Round 15
Strathfieldsaye v South Bendigo
3 Lachlan Gill, S’saye; 2 Brody Haddow, SB; 1 Lachlan Sharp, S’saye.
Castlemaine v Kyneton
3 Bailey Henderson, Cm; 2 Brodie Byrne, Cm; 1 Thomas Quinn, Kyn.
Maryborough v Sandhurst
3 Sam Conforti, Sh; 2 Hamish Hosking, Sh; 1 James Coghlan, Sh.
Gisborne v Golden Square
3 Thomas Toma, GS; 2 Ryan Hartley, GS; 1 Jack Reaper, Gis.
Eaglehawk v Kangaroo Flat
3 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 2 Liam Collins, KF; 1 Joel Mullen, Eh.
Round 16
South Bendigo v Maryborough
3 Will Keck, SB; 2 Alexander Smith, SB; 1 Braydan Torpey, SB.
Kangaroo Flat v Strathfieldsaye
3 Lachlan Sharp, S’saye; 2 Jake Moorhead, S’saye; 1 Daniel Clohesy, S’saye.
Golden Square v Castlemaine
3 Thomas Toma, GS; 2 Ricky Monti, GS; 1 Braydon Vaz, GS.
Sandhurst v Gisborne
3 Bryce Curnow, Sh; 2 Matt Wilkinson, Sh; 1 Flynn Lakey, Gis.
Kyneton v Eaglehawk
3 Noah Wheeler, Eh; 2 Lewin Davis, Eh; 1 Jarryn Geary, Eh.
Round 17
Strathfieldsaye v Maryborough
3 Luke Webb, S’saye; 2 Lachlan Gill, S’saye; 1 Shannon Geary, S’saye.
Kangaroo Flat v Kyneton
3 Jye Chambers, Kyn.; 2 Harrison Huntley, Kyn.; 1 Luke Foreman, KF.
Castlemaine v Sandhurst
3 James Coghlan, Sh; 2 Noah Walsh, Sh; 1 Nick Stagg, Sh.
Gisborne v South Bendigo
3 Brad Bernacki, Gis.; 2 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 1 Zachary Vescovi, Gis.
Eaglehawk v Golden Square
3 Jayden Burke, GS; 2 Jon Coe, GS; 1 Sam Thompson, Eh.
Round 18
Kyneton v Strathfieldsaye
3 Luke Webb, S’saye; 2 Caleb Ernst, S’saye; 1 Boden Alexander, S’saye.
South Bendigo v Castlemaine
3 Matt Filo, Cm; 2 Macgregor Cameron, SB; 1 Oscar White, SB.
Golden Square v Kangaroo Flat
3 Jake Thrum, GS; 2 Matt Compston, GS; 1 Thomas Toma, GS.
Maryborough v Gisborne
3 Flynn Lakey, Gis.; 2 Sam Graham, Gis.; 1 Kya Lanfranchi, Mb.
Sandhurst v Eaglehawk
3 Sam Conforti, Sh; 2 James Coghlan, Sh; 1 Hamish Hosking, Sh.
Club-by-club:
Castlemaine, 32:
11 John Watson; 8 Matt Filo; 6 Bailey Henderson; 5 Brodie Byrne; 1 Brodie Browne-Kerr, Callum McConachy.
Eaglehawk, 76:
24 Noah Wheeler; 10 Lewin Davis; 6 Billy Evans; 5 Dylan Hanley, Cameron McGlashan, Ben Thompson; 4 Joel Mullen; 3 Kallen Geary, Charlie Langford, 2 Connor Dalgleish, Jarryn Geary, Sam Harper, Darcy Richards; 1 Clayton Holmes, Liam Marciano, Sam Thompson.
Gisborne, 56:
22 Flynn Lakey; 12 Brad Bernacki; 7 Sam Graham; 4 Braidon Blake; 2 Hayden Doricic, James Fox, Liam Spear; 1 Matthew Cassidy, Jed Denahy, Zac Denahy, Jack Reaper, Zachary Vescovi.
Golden Square, 86:
18 Thomas Toma; 11 Ricky Monti; 9 Joel Brett; 7 Jack Hickman, Braydon Vaz; 6 Matt Compston; 5 Jack Geary, Ryan Hartley; 4 Jayden Burke, Jake Thrum, Terence Reeves; 3 Jon Coe, Hamish Morcom.
Kangaroo Flat, 27:
9 Liam Collins; 8 Mitch Trewhella; 4 Ryan O’Keefe; 2 Mitch Collins; 1 Sam Barnes, Luke Foreman, Nicholas Keogh, Ethan Roberts.
Kyneton, 39:
9 Cameron Manuel; 7 Harrison Huntley; 6 Hamish Yunghanns; 3 Ben Cameron, Jye Chambers, Ethan Foreman; 2 Mitch Comben; James Orr, Thomas Quinn, Jake Summers.
Maryborough, 13:
3 Kya Lanfranchi, Jacob Lohmann; 2 Samuel Reid, Joel Swatton; 1 Alex Brown, Bailey Edwards, Tom Myers.
Sandhurst, 82:
18 James Coghlan; 16 Sam Conforti; 13 Hamish Hosking; 8 Noah Walsh; 4 Matt Wilkinson; 3 Andy Collins, Bryce Curnow, Zach Pallpratt, Lachlan Tardrew, Lachlan Wright; 2 Lachie Hood, Cooper Smith, Nick Stagg; 1 Isaac Carracher, Lee Coghlan.
South Bendigo, 61:
13 Macgregor Cameron; 11 Brody Haddow; 9 Nathan Horbury; 8 Oscar White; 6 Cooper Leon; 5 Steven Stroobants; 3 Will Keck; 2 Brock Harvey, Alexander Smith; 1 Sam Griffiths, Braydan Torpey.
Strathfieldsaye, 64:
14 Lachlan Sharp; 10 Luke Webb; 9 Callum McCarty; 8 Jake Moorhead; 5 Lachlan Gill; 4 Daniel Clohesy; 3 James Schischka, Riley Wilson; 2 Caleb Ernst, Shannon Geary; 1 Baxter Slater, Bode Stevens, Boden Alexander, Tim Hosking.