At the DOSA Football Club Best & Fairest Awards, held at the Carlyle Hotel on 22 September 2023, President Todd Curtain didn’t want to dwell on the disappointments of the 2023 season. ‘There were some great games at the start of the year, and some unfortunate results and a cruel run of injuries that tested our depth, but there are a lot of exciting times ahead with this young group!’
Todd thanked all the sponsors, especially Dominic College, represented at the evening by Cameron Golding and Mark Dillon, and the Football Club Committee, the coaches, timekeeper and trainers, as well as the volunteers who run the canteen, the gate, and the bars.
‘I can confidently say that with the core group of players that we have, we are firmly in the window of opportunity for premiership success. The current playing list is as close knit as I’ve seen for many years and as exciting as any young group we have had.’
Player milestones during the year included 450 games for Brendan Loveless, 150 games for Ben Griffin and 100 games for Aaron Grubb. Three new Life Members were also inducted during the evening, Matthew Harrison, Dave Bishop and our first female inductee, Sarah Curtain.
Todd thanked the senior coach, Nathan McCulloch, who will continue to be a playing Rooster in 2024 but has stepped down from the coaching position. Todd said that “Nutta” has been exceptional in his time as coach with his professionalism and embraced the DOSA culture while forging life-long friends in his three years as coach.
The Club has since welcomed the new 2024 coach, Daniel Willing, a very experienced and highly credentialled coach who is excited about the opportunity to join DOSA.
Senior Awards:
Brother Dezani Medallion, Senior Best & Fairest: Fin Lapham
Andrew Edwards Trophy, Senior Best & Fairest Runner Up: Nathan McCulloch
Wayne Olding Trophy, Senior Leading Goal Kicker: Damon Curtain
Whitmore Family Award, Best Clubman: Harri Loveless
Ty Bennett Trophy, Best First Year Player: Zac Holdsworth
Curtain Family Award, Presidents Trophy: Nathan McCulloch
B J Maxwell Award, Senior Coaches Award: Austin Hollingsworth
Reserves Awards:
Dooley Family Medallion Reserves Best & Fairest: Fletcher Loveless
McCarthy Family Trophy Reserves Best & Fairest Runner Up: Patrick Carroll
Tom Jarvis Trophy, Reserves Leading Goal Kicker: Mitch Gittus
Andrew Dillon Award, Most Tenacious: Jackson Gregory
B A Smith Award, Reserves Coaches Award: Sam Clark