Kessler & Castelnuovo Claim League B & F Awards
Kristen Kessler and Jake Castelnuovo were rewarded for fantastic seasons by claiming the Best & Fairest Medals in the Women's Cup and Men's Plate competitions respectively at AFL Hunter Central Coast Elliott Davey Medal night held last night at Belmont 16 Footers.
Kessler made it three consecutive Chris Arnold Medals for the Bombers after Eliza Hand won the award in 2023 & 2024. In a close count Kessler was able to pull away in the second half of the year to win by three votes from teammate Brooke Turner.
Castelnuovo on the other hand made the Ian Granland Medal count a one-horse race after polling five best on ground in the first eight rounds, saw him clear out from the field before winning with 28 votes, a record in this competition, 14 votes ahead of his nearest rivals.
In the Elliott Davey Medal (Men's Cup competition), Jye Boby finished runner up to Terrigal Avoca midfielder, Jack Grimmond-Lea.
It was a big night for the Bombers with plenty of awards going there way. Here is the complete list:
Chris Arnold Medal Winner: Kristen Kessler
Ian Granland Medal Winner: Jake Castelnuovo
Elliott Davey Medal R/Up: Jye Boby
Men's Representative Player of the Year: Ryan Arthur
Women's Cup Leading Goalkicker: Mia Wilson (63 goals)
Volunteer of the Year Nominee: Ryan Mahalm
Men's Cup Team of the Year: Ryan Arthur, Jye, Boby, Brandon Lloyd, Josh Mifsud
Women's Cup Team of the Year: Kristen Kessler, Mia Wilson, Taya White, Beth Wood, Brooke Turner, Holly Gibbons
Men's Plate Team of the Year: Jake Castelnuovo, Brendan Lewis
Women's Cup Team of the Year: Holly Bryson
You can view all of last night awards including the speeches by clicking here
Games Milestones
Lewis Plays his 200th 1st Grade Game
On July 12, the club celebrated a massive milestone for one of our all-time greats, Brendan Lewis, who will played his 200th First Grade game for the Bombers against cross town rivals, Terrigal Avoca!
Lewy made his debut in 2008 after a long and successful junior career in the red and black. He went on to become a key figure in our senior ranks, serving as First Grade Captain from 2014 to 2016, 2018 and 2019 and continues to lead by example every time he pulls on the guernsey. In 2022, he achieved the ultimate reward, playing a key role in our senior Premiership.
A Life Member, a passionate leader, and a genuine clubman, Lewy’s impact goes far beyond the field. He bleeds red and black, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with him!
Congratulations Lewy, 200 First Grade games of passion, pride and heart. A true legend of the Killarney Vale Bombers.
Killarney Vale's favourite sons, Daniel Lloyd also made a return to the Black and Red to celebrate Lewy's milestone. Daniel last played for the Bombers in 2015 before being drafted by the GWS Giants where he went on to play 101 AFL matches. He is now a Development Coach for the Brisbane Lions.
To cap of a fabulous day for the club all four teams recorded wins with the Cup Men's and Women's side defeating cross town rivals, Terrigal Avoca.
Representative Honours
Congratulations to the following players who were selected to represent AFL Hunter Central Coast in theri fixture against AFL South Coast at Blacktown.
Men
Ryan Arthur, Brandon Lloyd, Logan Mahalm and Reeve Simmons
Women
Holly Gibbons, Taya White, Brooke Turner, Mia Wilson, Vashti Muller, Emmerson Squires, Michael Smith (Coach), Peter Kelleher (Asst Coach)
Also congratulations to Ryan Arthur and Brooke Turner who won were awarded the Best Player awards for AFL Hunter Central Coast
Match Results
Men - AFL South Coast 16.10.106 def AFL Hunter Central Coast 13.6.84
Women - AFL South Coast 6.8.44 def AFL Hunter Central Coast 3.5.23
2025 Senior Leadership Groups
We are pleased to announce the Senior Leadersgip Groups for 2025.
Josh Mifsud will captain the Cups Men's side for a third season and will be supported in the Leadership Group by Tom Mumford, Alex Bailey, Enjay Convy, Ryan Arthur, Joe Crick, Jordan Canobie, James Kidd and Hayden Mahalm.
On the Women's side Premiership winning Cup captains, Kristen Kessler and Brooke Hoolihan will continue in their roles with Bethany Wood making a welcomed return to the Leadership Group.
In addition to our leadership group, the women’s team will be introducing a new initiative: the Emerging Leaders Program!
This pathway is designed to help develop the future leaders of our women’s side, with the guidance and support of our experienced leadership group and coaching staff.
We're proud to see these talented players stepping up and showing the potential to lead both on and off the field.
Congratulations to Brooke Turner, Dixie Butler, Sarah Murphy and Zoe Naylor on being named as part of this group.
