Defender Luke Kiel had never won a top individual playing accolade in his whole football career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He can now call himself an Allen L Stott medallist as North Ballarat Roosters’ best and fairest. Kiel joins an impressive Roosters’ roll-call which, in the modern Victorian Football League era, includes captain Myles Sewell (2009,11, 12), former captains Michael Searl (2008) and Shaune Moloney (2004) and dual league best and fairest Steve Clifton (2010, 13).
Kiel polled in 13 of 18 Roosters’ games, talling 175 votes in a coach-voted system that carries a maximum 30 votes per game. He edged out the decorated Sewell (170) with newly crowned VFL JJ Liston medallist Nick Rippon (153) third.
“It was a surprise...I just try and play my role in the team, whether that’s to shut-down a specific player,” Kiel said. “Coaches know what that role is and know if I’m really playing well."
The fourth-year Rooster attracted league attention with a spot in the VFL team of the year alongside teammates Sewell, Rippon and Roosters’ leading goalkicker Andrew Hooper.
Kiel, who hails from Swan Hill, said he felt more settled off the field this season – he moved in with some teammates, enjoys his work at Midland Irrigation – and this translated into his on-field game. Simply, Kiel enjoyed his football more.
A strong on-field presence, and part of the Roosters’ leadership group, Kiel is a key member in the Roosters’ tight-knit backlines. He was a popular and humble winner, thanking his family for making the trek from Swan Hill to watch him play each and every week.
This season has been a roller coaster for the Roosters on and off the field, starting in a string of heavy losses before a fierce second half to the season, in which the Roosters finished ninth and rattled heavyweights.
Kiel said that while the team had started scratchy, everything had come together in the end.
“We gelled together and gained confidence,” Kiel said. “The North Melbourne boys were really good each week, doing their part for the team.”
This season also marked an impressive comeback to the state game for Myles Sewell from a year’s hiatus. The 2009 JJ Liston medallist was equal runner-up in the league best and fairest and second to Kiel, returning to the Roosters at his consistent, hard-working best in the midfield.
Sewell took a year off to travel last season, but returned to finish the Ballarat Football League season and reach the BFL grand final with his brother Adam for Ballarat Swans before rejoining the Roosters.