Along with the multiplication of the footy media has come a proliferation of awards, some more meaningful than others.

HOLIDAYS, weddings, bar mitzvahs … they are all delayed until October for one simple reason: nothing happens in September except football finals.
There is no doubt that when people think of September, they think first of the AFL finals.
There is, however, another aspect of football that doesn’t involve the finals which is becoming an important part of the football landscape. September is now not only Finals season but Awards season.
Every year more and more awards seem to be on offer for players.
There are the usual Goal and Mark of the Year awards and the standard media awards on offer.
It seems every radio, newspaper and television station has its version of Most Valuable Player.
Prizes range from money to televisions to holidays to cars, to nothing but the prestige (such as at INSIDE FOOTBALL).
By my reckoning, there are at least a dozen MVP awards on offer.
If a player has a good season and picks up some awards, he can supplement his income extremely nicely.
What most people don’t realise is that all of these prizes are taxable and if you win a $30,000 car you can expect a tax bill for almost 15 grand to follow. Still, a half price car is not to be sneezed at.
With all of these awards on offer, which is actually the best one to win?
In my mind none of the media awards make it into the top three. Not for any other reason than they are voted on by media and past players who at times display a level of bias.

Read More....

When it comes to September, it’s not all about the superstars, writes outgoing Dockers assistant coach ROBERT SHAW.

REGGIE Jackson was a slugger from the Bronx and earned his reputation as “Mr October” when he single handedly fired in October and lifted the famous Yankees to a World Series with three home runs from three strikes of the bat.
Yet in reality Jackson was an all-out slugger who still holds the record for being struck out the most times over his career.
Jackson had more plays and misses than Phil Tuffnell on a seaming Lords wicket, yet remains to posterity “Mr October”.
Our game hails its September heroes because we rightly judge them as having the capacity to perform when it matters most.
The ability to influence big games, particularly finals, leaves a reputation that remains forever.
Over the decades they are names such as Barassi, Nicholls, Barlett, more recently Hird and Archer, and now an emerging brigade such as Ablett, Judd, Goodes and Burgoyne.
Robert Dipierdomenico actually believes he was born to play in September and Dermott Brereton out of the same era is introduced as a “five day and five night premiership player”.
Their reputations are based on great ability and toughness but also the true essence of the game, the capacity to produce when it counts.
Chris Mew is a plumber down on the Mornington Peninsula. He played centre half back in that great Hawthorn era, would rarely have done an interview, yet remains the consummate team man and a true custodian of the Hawks’ dominance. He played about one poor finals game in his grand career.
September is obviously upon us when the print media begin their previews with a focus on the big names and excitement machines that will thrill us with their ability to perform under finals fire.

Read More....