IT WAS a season that left the Ballarat Red Devils heartbroken in the final game of the season, however it is not all doom at gloom at Morshead Park.
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The Reds landed two major awards at the FFV Gold Medal Night at the weekend, offering some consolation after they just missed out on promotion.
Ballarat coach James Robinson was named National Premier League Victoria 1 coach of the year, as voted by his peers.
Gloveman Aaron Romein was also recognised, named goalkeeper of the year after his outstanding year between the posts for his side.
Robinson said he was “gob-smacked” to be named coach of the year.
The Reds’ season looked grim at the start of the year, sitting in ninth spot after the first seven rounds.
However, Robinson coordinated his side’s resurrection, piecing together a 10-match unbeaten string before missing out on the playoffs in the last game of the year.
As much as the award meant to him, Robinson said it was only achievable because of the work of the staff underneath him.
“I may be at the forefront, but without my staff doing everything they do at the club it would not have ever been possible,” he said.
“They give up so much time and put in so much effort that a lot of the praise has to go to them.”
Robinson is contracted for one more year at the helm of McDonalds Reds.
He said the season review would happen in the coming weeks before he would fully turn his attention to 2016.
For Romein, the personal accolade complimented a stellar year with the gloves.
Originally a striker in his junior days, Romein opted to take the number one position due to knee injuries.
And he has never looked back.
In his second season back at his junior club, he said was thrilled with his own season, even if the club did narrowly miss promotion.
“It helps when you’ve got an experienced coach who knows so much about the game,” he said.
The 26-year-old harbours ambitions of playing at the highest level possible, having previously won a club best and fairest and Victorian Premier League club, Richmond.
“I want to be a part of what James wants to build and I think we’ve only just started to scratch the surface.”