Rookie Munari claims award

ASH MUNARI has taken out the Central Highlands Football League Rookie of the Year.The Gordon midfielder was presented with the award last night at the Ballarat Sportsman's Association of Australia monthly dinner.Munari beat out a host of young CHFL talent, including two players that played in last Saturday's grand final."Thanks to everyone who was here tonight, I didn't expect to win, I thought that (Glenn) Kirby would have got it," he said."I was shocked with it but glad I won - very happy with it."Munari played 14 games for the Eagles this year and missed a match through injury."I was getting off a ladder and a nail went through my foot," he said."I probably should have missed a couple more matches but I love playing footy too much."The midfielder was also aware of the talent that had previously been nominated."Michael Cummings, who won it last year, and Tye Murphy, from Gordon, did really well," Munari said."It is getting better each year, the young blokes are improving all the time - it is really good to see."The Eagles finished in 12th position this year with two wins but Munari is confident in the direction that Gordon is heading."(Coach Craig Baker) has picked up a few good blokes along the way so hopefully we can keep improving each year," he said."Hopefully we can win a couple more games and I can keep getting better."Former Richmond footballer Andrew Kellaway was a guest speaker at the dinner.Kellaway has recently taken the position as junior football manager with the Victorian Country Football League."It is good to see a night like this and be supporting local footy and juniors going into their senior footy," he said."Under-19 best and fairest at Sandringham, that was about the extent of my rookie type things."Kellaway came through the supplementary list at Richmond before going on to play 172 games for the Tigers."The supplementary list was just before the rookie list and I came through the long way and developed a bit after turning 18," he said."These guys need to make sure they keep enjoying their footy and embrace the culture at their club and achieve the best they can at their club."