BFNL TEAM OF THE DECADE
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ALMOST 2300 goals were kicked between 2010 and 2019 by the six forwards selected in the BFNL's Team of the Decade.
And what a forward line it is spearheaded by the top three goalkickers of the decade in Lachlan Sharp, Matt Gretgrix and Grant Weeks, who between them combined for 1686 goals for the decade, including 43 hauls of at least 10.
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BEN WEIGHTMAN
(Kyneton)
Position - Half-forward
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 1 (2014)
Best player votes - 139
Times in best - 30
Goals - 278
Most in a game - 13
"I was very fortunate as a coach to be able to sit back and watch Benny do some very unique things that few players can do, particularly given his size.
"He can go high, he can go low and his turning circle is amazing... at times I've had to scratch my head at how he has been able to run at full pace, swivel on one step and kick a goal from 40m.
"He certainly had a big impact at the club during his four years." - Luke Beattie (former coach).
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JUSTIN MADDERN
(Kangaroo Flat, South Bendigo)
Position - Centre half-
forward
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 2 (2010, 2013)
Ron Best Medal - 2013
Best player votes - 92
Times in best - 21
Goals - 226
Most in a game - 12
"Harry was a very professional player and kicked 100 goals one of the years I coached him... just a super athlete.
"Defenders struggled to go with him pace-wise and he could kick the ball a mile.
"He copped a lot of double teams, but he'd still give us a great target.
"I remember the first game I coached at Kangaroo Flat he kicked eight goals in the first quarter down at Gisborne. We started him on the wing that day, but within 30 seconds he had a goal and didn't go near the wing again." - Murray Collins (former coach).
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BRODIE FILO
(Eaglehawk)
Position - Half-forward
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 3 (2013, 2014, 2015)
Michelsen Medal - 2015
Best player votes - 111
Times in best - 29
Goals - 95
Most in a game - 7
"He's an instinct player... what he does is just amazing when he has the ball in his hands.
"When he's in that sort of a mood where he wants to tear a game apart he's just unstoppable.
"I know any of our forwards loved it when he got the ball in his hands because they knew it would be coming to them lace out and he's as good a long kick of the footy on either side that you'll see.
"He's an on-baller now, but I think later in his career he could cause a fair bit of chaos inside 50 playing mainly as a forward." - Luke Monaghan (former coach).
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LACHLAN SHARP
(Strathfieldsaye)
Position - Forward
Flags - 4 (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Inter-league games - 3 (2011, 2018, 2019)
Michelsen Medal - 2017
Ron Best Medal - 2017, 2019
Best player votes - 200
Times in best - 47
Goals - 655
Most in a game - 17
"Sharpy was always a good player, but he has become a great player.
"He probably didn't shine as much as he now does while we had Stephen Milne and Sam Mildren through those years and he was playing as a third or fourth forward.
"But when he got the chance to play at full-forward he became something completely different.
"He has an uncanny ability to kick goals, it doesn't matter whether the ball is in the air or at ground level and he probably catches a few off guard with his left foot.
"What he has been able to do over the past few years since coming back from a significant knee injury has been outstanding, especially the year (2017) when he won the league goalkicking, Michelsen Medal, premiership and best and fairest.
"He has been very loyal and committed to Strath and is just a great person as well." - Darryl Wilson (coach).
............................................
GRANT WEEKS
(Golden Square)
Position - Full-forward
Flags - 3 (2010, 2011, 2012)
Inter-league games - 3 (2010, 2011, 2012)
Ron Best Medal - 2010, 2011, 2012
Best player votes - 162
Times in best - 38
Goals - 451
Most in a game - 21
"Everyone has seen what Weeksy did on the footy field, but behind the scenes he did a significant amount for the club.
"His leadership in terms of helping the club be a better place, recruitment of players and just having a level head with everyone, be it the best players or part-time volunteers... he always treated everyone equally.
"That's why whatever club Weeksy has been involved in he's so highly respected.
"His on-field speaks for itself and I haven't seen a better forward than him in my time." - Nick Carter (former coach).
............................................
MATT GRETGRIX
(Eaglehawk)
Position - Forward
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 1 (2013)
Ron Best Medal - 2015
Best player votes - 191
Times in best - 49
Goals - 570
Most in a game - 13
"He kicked 70 or 80 goals every year I coached him.
"He was a really good kick and often kicked goals when we were under pressure and needed him to.
"He was a big-game player and allowed us to always have that focal point in the forward line to kick to.
"He had a great set of hands and was a brilliant set-shot at goal. You knew if he kicked his first shot at goal that he'd be in for a good day.
"I don't think he had an out-and-out leadership position, but he was basically the unofficial leader in terms of on and off the field.
"Every supporter loved him, and I think opposition supporters enjoyed watching him play as well." - 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 or contact BFNL manager Cameron Tomlins at AFL Central Victoria.
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