26th September 2024
By Lauren Wood, Williamstown Media
Held amidst players, coaches, staff, volunteers, and supporters, the Williamstown Football Club’s 2024 Presentation Night highlighted achievements across the club, culminating in the awarding of the VFL Gerry Callahan Medal and VFLW Best and Fairest honours.
It was a season to remember for first-year Williamstown defender Luke Parks, who claimed the Gerry Callahan Medal as the club’s best-and-fairest player in 2024. Parks, who made his debut in Round 1 against Frankston, quickly established himself as a pivotal figure in Williamstown’s backline. His performances throughout the home-and-away season saw him rise to the top of the vote count early, and despite suffering a season-ending injury during the Wildcard Final, his 83 votes were enough to secure the club’s highest individual VFL honour.
On stage, Parks shared his thoughts on the season and the significance of winning the award named after three-time premiership player and club legend, Gerry Callahan. “To have myself next to Gerry’s name is unbelievable. But there are many that come before me,” Parks said. “We had 20 players come through the backline this year, and everyone played a part. There’s such great people in this team and at this club, and it’s really built me up as a person.”
Parks led the playing group for intercept marks and finished fifth in the VFL for marks after the home and away season, averaging 7.8 per game. His courageous acts and ability to read the play also earned him a spot in the backline of the Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year.
While Parks led for most of the vote count, he faced a late charge from Corey Ellison. Ellison, who was awarded the Peter McIntyre Memorial Trophy for VFL Best and Fairest Runner-Up with 74 votes, produced a standout finals campaign, kicking six goals in the Elimination Final against Box Hill Hawks. His strong efforts across 19 games, which included 38 goals, also rewarded him a place in the 2024 VFL Team of the Year squad.
The race for the Gerry Callahan Medal also saw first year Seagulls Brodie McLaughlin, Jack Brown, and Joel Fitzgerald finish tied for third place, each with 57 votes. McLaughlin, the club’s leading goal kicker with 49 goals in 18 games, was also awarded the Mark Fotheringham Trophy, while Fitzgerald also took home the VFL Most Promising Player award, having averaged over 20 disposals per game.
Megan Williamson and Emily Eaves shared the top VFLW honour, both finishing with 96 votes to be crowned joint winners of the VFLW Best and Fairest award. Eaves, who went back-to-back after claiming the Best and Fairest title in 2023, continued to be a dominant force in the midfield this year, ranking third in the league for clearances and eighth in contested possessions. Williamson, stood out as the premier ball-winner for the Seagulls in 2024, leading the VFLW for inside 50s and ranking third for kicks.
The runner-up in the VFLW Best and Fairest count was Ash Thorneycroft, who racked up 94 votes. Thorneycroft also had a standout year for her first time in the blue and gold, finishing second in the league for kicks and fourth for tackles after the home and away season. Zoe Day finished in third place with 84 votes, while Lori Stepnell (79) and India Barker (76) rounded out the top five.
Sharnie Whiting was recognised as Williamstown’s VFLW leading goal kicker, finishing the season with 25 goals, including three in the Semi-Final against North Melbourne. Zoe Day was awarded the VFLW Coaches Trophy, having added 16 games to her Williamstown career in 2024. The VFLW Players’ Player award went to none other than skipper Eliza Straford, who was also named the captain of the VFLW Team of the Year after a season that saw her score 14 goals and finish in the league’s top five for inside 50s.
India Barker, who joined from the Western Bulldogs VFLW side in 2023, was named VFLW Most Promising Player after playing all 17 matches in 2024, while 2023/24 Best and Fairest winner Emily Eaves claimed the VFLW Best in Finals Award.
Presentation Night also provided an opportunity to honour the invaluable contributions of our club volunteers and life members. Geoff van Wyngaarden was inducted as a Life Member of the Williamstown Football Club, in recognition of his decades-long support and connection to the club.
The Janet Dooley Trophy for Best Club Person was awarded to Maurice ‘Mocca’ Thurston, following his earlier recognition at the VFL/W Awards with the Ann Rulton Award for VFLW Volunteer of the Year. Ray Moloney was the recipient of the President’s Award, presented by club President Clint Rippon, in recognition of his outstanding volunteer efforts within the Football Operations team in 2024.
2024 Award Winners
President’s Award – Ray Moloney
VFL Leading Goalkicker (Mark Fotheringham Trophy) – Brodie McLaughlin
VFL Coaches’ Award (Wally Carter Memorial Trophy) – Corey Ellison
VFL Players Player Award (Ron James Memorial Trophy) – Jack Toner
VFLW Leading Goal Kicker – Sharnie Whiting
VFLW Coaches Trophy – Zoe Day
VFLW Players Player Award – Eliza Straford
VFLW Most Promising Player – India Barker
VFLW Best in Finals Award – Emily Eaves
VFL Most Improved Player (Bruce Tait Memorial Trophy) – Nathan Colenso
Club 1864 Award – Jake Greiser
VFLW Most Improved Player (Judi Jeremiah Award) – Neve Crowley
VFL Most Promising Player – Joel Fitzgerald
VFL Best in Finals – Brodie McLaughlin
VFL Medical Team Award (Kelly Brent Memorial Award) – Darby Henderson
VFLW Medical Team Award (Bernadette O’Sullivan Award) – Eloise Freeman
Best Club Person (Janet Dooley Trophy) – Maurice Thurston
VFLW Best and Fairest Runner Up – Ash Thorneycroft
VFLW Best and Fairest – Megan Williamson & Emily Eaves
VFL Best and Fairest Third Place (Cec Page Memorial Trophy) – Brodie McLaughlin, Jack Brown, Joel Fitzgerald
VFL Best and Fairest Runner up (Peter McIntyre Memorial Trophy) – Corey Elison
VFL Best and Fairest (Gerry Callahan Medal) – Luke Parks
VFL Best and Fairest Top 10:
1. Luke Parks (83 votes)
2. Corey Ellison (74 votes)
3. Brodie McLaughlin (57 votes)
3. Jack Brown (57 votes)
3. Joel Fitzgerald (57 votes)
4. Jake Greiser (56 votes)
4. Jack Toner (56 votes)
5. Riley Collier-Dawkins (55 votes)
5. Aiden Bonar (55 votes)
6. Tom Downie (54 votes)
VFLW Best and Fairest Top 10:
1. Megan Williamson (96 votes) and Emily Eaves (96 votes)
2. Ash Thorneycroft (94 votes)
3. Zoe Day (84 votes)
4. Lori Stepnell (79 votes)
5. India Barker (76 votes)
6. Eloise Freeman (74 votes)
7. Sharnie Whiting (70 votes)
8. Eliza Straford (69 votes)
9. Teagan Brett (56 votes)