World Footy News

Irishman Michael Quinn has been awarded the Cater medal for the Best and Fairest of the Bendigo Bombers, the VFL affiliate for Essendon. It is a huge boost for the County Longford native who has struggled in his two outings for the Bombers in the AFL this season. Despite this he has consistently impressed in the lower grade.

He played 14 games for Bendigo and was named amongst the best players eight times kicking 15 goals. He has played a variety of roles for the Bombers turning up in all areas of the field. Bendigo finished the home and away season limping into the finals in eighth place and lost in the first week of the finals, going down to the Box Hill Hawks by 136-71. Quinn was named as the Bendigo best player on the day.

He received 166 votes to take out the award ahead of runner-up Stewart Crameri (148) and Bachar Houli (141). Bendigo coach Shannon Grant was full of praise for Quinn on the night of the award, “Michael played some really good footy this year, and also got the opportunity to play some senior footy with Essendon as well, so this is a good result for him. He is one of the most coachable young guys I’ve come across. He listens, follows instructions and regardless of what his role is he does what’s required for the team,” said Grant.

Quinn was originally famous for beating Martin Clarke record for the quickest conversion from GAA to the AFL when he made his senior debut in round of 2009. He played eight games in all in 2009 including the Bombers horror 96 point loss to the Adelaide Crows in the first week of the finals. His two senior games this year started with another trashing at the hands of the Crows (124-40) which saw Quinn only collect eight disposals. He next played in round 21 where an inexperienced Bombers side lost to the Brisbane Lions, inspired by champion Jonathan Brown playing his 200th game. Quinn came face to face with Co.Laois’s Pearce Hanley and he again made little impact with only 11 touches.

In mitigation the Bombers had a desperately disappointing season which resulted in head coach Matthew Knights being dismissed despite only signing a three year contract extension 12 months ago. It will be intriguing to see how Quinn develops with Essendon legend James Hird taking over as head coach.

In other Irish news, Carlton rookie Zac Tuohy recently played in the VFL grand final with the Northern Bullants. They were defeated by North Ballarat by 133 to 86 but Tuohy impressed throughout from half back. In a similar vein to many of his country men, he was full of run but he enjoys a large build that allows him to shrug off many would be tacklers. He kicked an excellent fourth quarter goal and in no way looked like a player who had only taken up the sport less than 12 months ago. His next target will be to try and make his AFL in 2011.