{"id":81991,"date":"2023-08-30T21:35:29","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T11:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=81991"},"modified":"2023-08-30T22:37:00","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T12:37:00","slug":"corio-star-claims-whitley-medal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/sport\/corio-star-claims-whitley-medal\/","title":{"rendered":"Corio star claims Whitley Medal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CORIO Devils midfielder Joel Bennett has taken out the Geelong &amp; District Football League&#8217;s (GDFL) Whitley Medal as the league best and fairest in 2023 at the GDFL Awards Night tonight (Wednesday, August 30).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Devils co-coach and captain polled in 12 games and was named best on ground eight times to amass a whopping 30 votes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bennett finished six votes ahead of Werribee Centrals midfielder Tyler Crennan (24 votes) and 12 votes ahead of Winchelsea&#8217;s Tavae Sauni (18 votes).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He polled in Round 1 (one vote), and Round 3 (two votes) to get his polling underway, before a string of best on grounds solidified his lead among vote-getters.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_81994\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-81994\" style=\"width: 420px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-81994 \" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-scaled.jpg?_t=1693381542\" alt=\"\" width=\"420\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-scaled.jpg 1708w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/0G2A9081-1-1366x2048.jpg 1366w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-81994\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bennett led in several statistical categories in his dominant 2023 campaign. Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bennett polled three votes in Round 4, Round 5, Round 6 and Round 7, before snagging three more votes in Round 9 against Belmont, placing his vote total at 18 heading into the second half of the season.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bennett picked up where he left off in Round 11, polling three votes against East Geelong, again in Round 12 against Inverleigh, and three more against Thomson in Round 13 despite his side\u2019s 101-point loss to the Tigers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He further increased his lead at the top of the vote count with two votes in Round 14 and a single vote in Round 17 to make it an even 30, capping off one of the best individual performances in GDFL history.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_81995\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-81995\" style=\"width: 638px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-81995 \" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-scaled.jpg?_t=1693381755\" alt=\"\" width=\"638\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A6111A-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-81995\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Werribee Centrals&#8217; Tyler Crennan (right) finished six votes behind Bennett to place second in the count. Photo: MARCEL BERENS\/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Devils midfielder and co-coach statistically led the way in multiple facets of the game all year, leading the competition in disposals (605), clearances (140), kicks (483), goal assists (27), score involvements (161), smothers (19), and inside 50s (145).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bennett was also named Team of the Year captain for the second-straight year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Top 10 vote-getters in the GDFL&#8217;s Whitley Medal for 2023:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joel Bennett (Corio) \u2013 30 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tyler Crennan (Werribee Centrals) \u2013 24 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tavae Sauni (Winchelsea) \u2013 18 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brad Surkitt (Inverleigh) \u2013 17 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nick Peters (Bannockburn) \u2013 16 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tim Barton (Bell Post Hill) \u2013 16 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tim McLennan (East Geelong) \u2013 16 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andrew Jarvis (Thomson) \u2013 16 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam Donohue (Inverleigh) \u2013 15 votes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zach Plant (Thomson) \u2013 15 votes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thomson\u2019s minor premiership year was duly recognised with five players and head coach Paul Lynch making the GDFL Team of the Year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steve Salajan (half-back), Jahd Anderson (wing), Darcy Troop (half-forward), Andrew Jarvis (ruck) and Zac Plant (interchange) were listed in the side.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bannockburn\u2019s ruck\/forward Kieran Fulton (interchange), Luke Bowdern (full-back), and Hayden Spiller (full-back) made the side.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_81996\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-81996\" style=\"width: 692px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-81996 \" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-scaled.jpg?_t=1693381920\" alt=\"\" width=\"692\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/061A2354-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 692px) 100vw, 692px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-81996\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winchelsea&#8217;s Tavae Sauni polled 18 votes to finish third in the count. Photo: MARCEL BERENS\/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caleb Bacely (full back), the GDFL\u2019s leading goal-kicker Will Ford (forward), Jack Yates (interchange) and Boe Collins formed Bell Post Hill\u2019s contingent in the side.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corio\u2019s Joel and Toby Bennett (half-back, ruck rover), Werribee Centrals\u2019 Michael Culliver (wing) and Tyler Crennan (forward), Inverleigh\u2019s Brad Surkitt (centre) and Adam Donohue (half-forward), and Casey Meehan (half-forward), Winchelsea\u2019s Fin Parish (half-back) and Leigh Ellis (forward), and East Geelong\u2019s John McIntyre (interchange) rounded out the side.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The full 2023 Team of the Season:<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-81992 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/AFL-Comp-39.png?_t=1693381135\" alt=\"\" width=\"605\" height=\"756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/AFL-Comp-39.png 1600w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/AFL-Comp-39-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/AFL-Comp-39-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/AFL-Comp-39-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/AFL-Comp-39-1229x1536.png 1229w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winchelsea\u2019s Bailey Forssman and Thomson\u2019s Mitchell Simons walked out of Buckley&#8217;s Entertainment Centre as co-recipients of the Ivan Tansing medal after solid seasons for their respective clubs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_81997\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-81997\" style=\"width: 740px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-81997 \" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038.jpg?_t=1693382156\" alt=\"\" width=\"740\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038.jpg 1680w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038-1024x646.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038-600x380.jpg 600w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/IMG_4038-1536x969.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-81997\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winchelsea\u2019s Bailey Forssman and Thomson\u2019s Mitchell Simons were crowned co-winners for the Tansing Medal after both players polled 15 votes. Photos: MARCEL BERENS\/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both players finished the night with 15 votes, while Werribee Centrals\u2019 Callum O\u2019Malley rounded out the top three with 13 votes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CORIO Devils midfielder Joel Bennett has taken out the Geelong &amp; District Football League&#8217;s (GDFL) Whitley Medal as the league best and fairest in 2023 at the GDFL Awards Night tonight (Wednesday, August 30). The Devils co-coach and captain polled in 12 games and was named best on ground eight times to amass a whopping [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/sport\/corio-star-claims-whitley-medal\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":191,"featured_media":82001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-81991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Corio star claims Whitley Medal - Geelong Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Joel Bennett has won the GDFL Whitley Medal for 2023, polling a whopping 30 votes. 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