READ MORE - The defenders
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A STAR-STUDDED line-up that features four Michelsen medallist makes up the midfield group in the BFNL's 2010-19 Team of the Decade.
RHYS MAGIN
(Kyneton)
Position - Wing
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 2 (2018, 2019)
Best player votes - 271
Times in best - 64
Goals - 109
"I think Rhys is sometimes too lowly judged with what he has done in this league... he's one of those players who at times makes it look quite effortless.
"He and his family have been a remarkable part of our footy club since coming in. He has won four out of the past five best and fairests and that's a super effort for any player.
"He's all class with his ability to win the ball, deliver the ball inside 50 and hit the scoreboard... that capacity for him to kick goals out of the midfield has been a massive asset for the club." - Luke Beattie (former coach).
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SIMON ROSA (VC)
(Golden Square)
Position - Centre
Flags - 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Inter-league games - 3 (2011, 2012, 2013)
Nalder Medal - 2012
Best player votes - 314
Times in best - 74
Goals - 75
"Just an incredible player and the thing that probably sticks out most to me as a coach was his grand final performance in 2012 (three-point win over Gisborne) when he kicked four goals out of the midfield and really set us up early and won the Nalder Medal.
"He was just ultra-consistent, would always rack up plenty of the footy and one of those players who had more time and space than most when he had the ball.
"You just knew when the ball was in his hands we were safe and that he'd do something positive with it.
"Most of the opposition put a lot of time into him and I think that benefited the rest of our midfield as well." - Mark Lloyd (former coach).
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ADAM BAIRD
(Golden Square)
Position - Wing
Flags - 3 (2010, 2011, 2012)
Inter-league games - 7 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Michelsen Medal - 2019
Best player votes - 292
Times in best - 72
Goals - 165
"Skinny has had a great decade and is probably really starting to come into his own now in that age group where he's, hopefully, still going to play his best footy over the next two to three years.
"Winning the Michelsen Medal this year, he really has done it all now.
"I remember him coming through the under-18s and getting a senior opportunity in about 2008 and since then he has continued to flourish.
"He's a player who has got it all... he's courageous, is a hard-running midfielder who can take a really good grab, especially a hanger, and is a big game player, too." - Mark Lloyd (former coach).
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TIM MARTIN
(Sandhurst)
Position - Ruck
Flags - 1 (2016)
Inter-league games - 3 (2013, 2014, 2017)
Michelsen Medal - 2013, 2014
Best player votes - 239
Times in best - 57
Goals - 47
"A couple of Michelsen Medals, a premiership player and multiple inter-league representative... what more do you need to say.
"He just gave his all every bit of the time and controlled the troops out on the ground really well.
"He was a really strong presence around the ground and I think his application to the game was best shown in the week leading into the 2014 grand final when he had an ankle that was sideways, but he just kept applying himself to be ready and he got himself right for the game." - Brett Fitzpatrick (former coach).
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JACK GEARY (C)
(Golden Square)
Position - Ruck-rover
Flags - 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Inter-league games - 7 (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Michelsen Medal - 2018
Nalder Medal - 2010, 2013
Best player votes - 378
Times in best - 99
Goals - 116
"Jack is an absolute workhorse off the field, just loves training and he set a standard that really encouraged the group to improve their fitness, work ethic and skills to try to get as close to Jack as they could.
"For me, Jack had a preparation that was of an AFL standard while respecting that he was playing country footy, but he was at that next level and that's what set him up to be a really good player.
"And the second part to Jack is I don't think I've ever seen him play a bad game. Even if he had a quiet half he'd then bob up and get 15 touches in the last quarter to get us over the line.
"I remember the grand final we lost to Sandhurst (in 2016) when he was injured and we had a lot of players injured throughout, but he just continued to will himself... I've never seen a guy try to carry as significant a load for a whole season as what he did that year." - Nick Carter (former coach).
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JOSH BOWE
(Eaglehawk)
Position - Rover
Flags - 1 (2018)
Inter-league games - 1 (2011)
Michelsen Medal - 2010
Best player votes - 174
Times in best - 44
Goals - 44
"Bowey was one of those players just absolutely determined to get the best out of himself... he would play every single minute of every match to the best of his ability.
"He was a really skillful and classy player, but it's probably his commitment to the contested ball and endeavor that was his strength.
"I still remember a game against Strathfieldsaye when we were down a few players on the bench in the last quarter, but we were able to get over the line just off his grunt... he always was a great leader." - Luke Monaghan (former coach).
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The BFNL Hall of Fame will be held on Friday, November 1 at the All Seasons.
To purchase tickets to the Hall of Fame ceremony visit www.trybooking.com/BFYJS
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