BFNL TEAM OF THE DECADE
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DARRYL Wilson's era of success at Strathfieldsaye has been recognised with his selection as coach of the BFNL's Team of the Decade for 2010-19.
Wilson is the most successful coach of the decade, guiding the Storm to three premierships in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
As well as the naming of Wilson as coach, the Team of the Decade is completed with the selection of the four interchange players.
INTERCHANGE
LEE COGHLAN
(Sandhurst)
Flags - 1 (2016)
Inter-league games - 5 (2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2018)
Best player votes - 240
Times in best - 66
Goals - 172
"If he hadn't suffered the amount of injuries he's had then you'd think he'd be part of the starting 18.
"His application and attitude to what's required couldn't be questioned. He could play both midfield and forward, was good with his voice and a great finisher with the ball.
"He had a really good rapport with Tim Martin (ruckman) and they set up a lot of organised clearances. Been a great player for a long time at Sandhurst." - Brett Fitzpatrick (former coach).
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TYRONE DOWNIE
(Kangaroo Flat)
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 2 (2011, 2013)
Best player votes - 102
Times in best - 23
Goals - 144
"Was a tremendous on-field leader... super overhead and just a real competitor.
"You didn't have to tell Tigga too much because he's got such a good footy brain.
"He'd get battered every week, but he'd just keep fronting up and was a fantastic player to coach.
"The fact he ended up on the Gold Coast list is testament to the work he put in and his ability and he's still showing now at Mitiamo what a quality player he is." - Murray Collins (former coach).
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SCOTT WALSH
(Gisborne)
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 1 (2012)
Michelsen Medal - 2012
Best player votes - 158
Times in best - 45
Goals - 44
"Scotty had a knee reconstruction when he was 19 or 20, but came back from it really well. He had a good year in 2011 and then his 2012 season was just one out of the box... one of the best individual years I've seen a player for Gisborne have.
"He was super hard in that 2012 season; he won a lot of the footy and used it well.
"But it was his intensity at the footy and the way he attacked blokes who had the footy that was really special for our group.
"He's a very quiet, softly spoken guy, but just does his job and would do anything for the team.
"Once he copped a big hit or gave one out he was in the game and you couldn't stop him." - Luke Saunders (former coach).
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TOM WATERS
(Gisborne)
Flags - 0
Inter-league games - 4 (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015)
Best player votes - 126
Times in best - 38
Goals - 13
"Tommy was a super competitor. He wasn't a big ruckman, but he had an exceptional leap and would win a lot of the ruck battles and then follow up and win it at ground level as well.
"He was a super tackler with a really good pair of hands and basically, played the game as a fifth midfielder.
"He also played for Vic Country a couple of times and really was one of the stars of the competition while he was at Gisborne." - Luke Saunders (former coach).
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COACH:
DARRYL WILSON
(Strathfieldsaye)
Flags - 3 (2014, 2015, 2017)
Inter-league games - 1 (2019)
Coaching record - 107-32-1
Finals record - 10-6
"From the time he first arrived at the club to his seventh year he was a different coach and really evolved, particularly with the way he thought about the game and doing things differently.
"He'd always look at ways of getting new ideas, drills and gameplans and that type of stuff, but one of the biggest things he has been really good at is culture and that is something he really drove.
"And his player management in knowing what makes everyone tick is also one of his great strengths." - Shannon Geary (Wilson's three-time premiership captain).
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THE TEAM BY THE NUMBERS:
Flags - 29
Inter-league games - 62
Michelsen medals - 8
Ron Best medals - 7
Nalder medals - 4
Best player votes - 4273
Times in best - 1125
Goals kicked - 3549
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BFNL DECADE THAT WAS SERIES:
The 2019 season - Strathfieldsaye premiers
The 2018 season - Eaglehawk premiers
The 2017 season - Strathfieldsaye premiers
The 2016 season - Sandhurst premiers
The 2015 season - Strathfieldsaye premiers
The 2014 season - Strathfieldsaye premiers
The 2013 season - Golden Square premiers
The 2012 season - Golden Square premiers
The 2011 season - Golden Square premiers
The 2010 season - Golden Square premiers
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The BFNL Hall of Fame function 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.
Tickets cost $80 and include a two course meal and drink on arrival.
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