Roos Articles
[all articles & game coverage]
Links in archives may no longer work. Photo collections temporarily unavailable.
Football Team Presents 2008 Awards, part II
Best and Fairest
Dee Vstetecka
Runner-up
Damian Serong
The Kangaroos have a tradition of voting for their best and fairest for each game (six votes for the Best on Ground, five votes for the next, and so on). We then tally up those votes to see who is the best and fairest for the season. In a tribute to team effort, no less than 17 different Rooboys received votes during the season, which is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the success on the field. The full list of votes is shown below.
Damian Serong came to the Roos this year in a non-traditional way. He had recently moved to Nashville to start a wine distribution business and the Kangaroos became a sponsor of the Nashville Zoo 5K Run this year. It was at that event back in January that we connected, not directly but via a friend of his who stopped at our booth, and thought Damian would like to know about us. Boy, was she right! Damian played in all but one game this season, claiming Best on Ground a team best three times, received votes in six of eight games played, and picked up two MAAFL votes along the way. Damian played primarily in the ruck, a physically demanding position especially in the MAAFL where the competition is top notch. He was also our target for our backmen kicking out from defense. He took the 'mark of the year' against Minnesota taking a speckie over three defenders, and kicked the winning goal against Las Vegas at nationals, showing he can do just about anything on the field. What makes Damian special to us is his love of the club. He has taken many of our newer players under his wing to help them improve skills. He and his company, Winebloc, also sponsored the Kangaroos Best and Fairest Awards this year, doing so because he understands the importance of recognizing outstanding efforts. And he has not missed a club function this year. Congratulations, Damian, on a great year all around. We look forward to having you back next season.
Dee Vsetecka has been playing for the Kangaroos for a record 10 seasons, playing in a club record 115 games and counting. So when we tallied up the votes and saw that his total was on top, it really was no surprise. In fact, this is a familiar place for Dee, having won Best and Fairest in 2006 and shared the title in 2003 with Bo Link, making this a record third Best and Fairest. This year he played in every game, making the Best and Fairest a team leading 7 times, collecting Best on Ground in our clash in Minnesota with the MAAFL title on the line, and being second best another four times. Dee's resume is long and distinguished, having been named to the Hall of Fame in 2007 when he crossed the 100-game threshold. Dee could have been our utility player this year, playing every position except for the ruck (we don't call him Weeman for nuttin'!) when he moved out of his usual spot as on ball and started roving the back lines. His sense of the game is second to none and his ability to create plays makes all his teammates around him better. You won't find anyone with more passion for the game or for the Roos than Dee. He has served as captain for three years, vice captain for three years, and assistant coach for one year. We all know Dee is one of the best in the country, and there is no better testament than being named to the US Revolution squad for seven of the past 8 years. He has played in two International Cups and there is no reason why he won't make the squad next time either. Congratulations, Dee, on your outstanding year. We look forward to having you back next season.
2008 Best and Fairest Votes
31 Votes — Dee Vsetecka
28 — Damian Serong
25 — Luke Nemeth
22 — Chris Moerman
13 — Nick Parker
12 — Matt Wheatley
11 — Mischa Nemeth
10 — Dave Walker
8 — Jeff Persson
7 — Bo Link
5 — Travis Quigley
4 — Blair Morris
4 — John Peers
4 — Pete Anderson
3 — Dave McNamara
1 — Gilberto Ortiz
1 — Justin Davis
