Meesen and Gleeson share Les Ash Medal

Wednesday’s Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) presentation saw ties for the best footballer of the season in both the seniors and the best in the reserves.

The Les Ash Medal, for the best senior footballer in the BFNL was shared by Torquay’s Dominic Gleeson and Modewarre’s John Meesen.

Both finished on 22 votes, and both also coach their respective sides.

Meesen said he was not only happy to have won the award, but to share it with a player and coach of Gleeson’s calibre.

“It was really humbling to win award and to share it with Dom Gleeson, another player-coach and someone who I have a great deal of respect for.”

Gleeson says the respect is mutual.

“It’s great to see great players, and ex-AFL players come down and play in the BFL, particularly for their home club, so I’ve got a lot of respect for John and what he’s been able to do for Modewarre Football Club.”

The two coaches were also eager to highlight the support they had at their respective clubs.

At Modewarre, Meesen shares the senior coaching role with Seamus Orr.

Gleeson says he gets daily help with coaching the side from the likes of Aaron Nesbitt, Cameron Healy, Peter and Ben Raidme, Stuart Hill and Paul McMahon.

“It gives me a lot of confidence to be able to just go and play my own football, and take almost a sideways step away from the coaching side of things because they see it so well on the boundary line.”

Torquay will play Geelong Amateur the preliminary final on Saturday, with the winner going on to face Barwon Heads in the grand final.

The Don Cole Medal, for the Best and Fairest in the reserves, was also tied.

Modewarre’s Robert Armstrong and Drysdale’s Daniel Tester both ended the season on 17 votes.