Midfielder Josh Smith was the runaway winner of the 2015 Dowling Medal for Redland’s best-and-fairest player on Friday night.
The 21-year-old dominated the vote count to poll in all 18 matches and win by a massive 132 points from NEAFL Rising Star winner Matt Uebergang.
Not only did Smith poll in every match but he was also awarded the maximum votes six times.
The former Morningside junior has capped off a remarkable breakout season that saw the young talent ranked second in the competition for disposals and first for Dream Team points, averaging 30 disposals and five clearances a game to be named in the coveted NEAFL Team of the Year.
Smith, who made his debut NEAFL representative appearance in a historic 20-point win over Tasmania in June, was also voted the Players’ Player winner.
Smith said he was humbled to be alongside some of his mentors who paved the way for his strong season when he joined the club last year.
“I went into the night thinking it would be a close count, but as the lead kept expanding it became overwhelming,” he said.
“Some really good players and mentors for me like (Tom) Salter and (Phil) Carse have won it in the past so to be placed in that group is something pretty special.
“I don’t think I did anything different to last year, I guess it’s a reward for the past two or three years I’ve put together from where I started at Morningside to where I am now.”
The Bombers were bundled out of the finals series in the final rounds but blooded several talented youngsters that point to a bright future at the club.
Smith said the challenge of taking on more ownership in the midfield after a high turnover of players last season was one he wanted to take head on, as finals continues to be the big goal.
“There was an opportunity for someone like me to play as an inside midfielder and challenge myself to be one of the elite midfielders in the competition,” he said.
“Mentally it was a challenge I wanted to take on.
“Having a healthy body all year and embracing the opportunity Redland offered me this year was really beneficial to me.
“I know the group is really disappointed we didn’t make finals.
“We thought our best was good enough.
“With the high turnover of players, however, I think this year we laid a really good foundation in terms of forming relationships with players.
“There is a good vibe around the club at the moment and I think we know we are going places.”
The Dowling Medal is voted by all four Redland coaches.
A maximum of 40 votes may be given by each coach in any one game with no player able to poll higher than 10 votes per coach per game.
Uebergang, 20, was also recognised for a stellar season by finishing runner-up and taking out the club’s Thomas/Oxley Medal for the Rising Star.
Brad Rees (166 votes) finished third in the Dowling Medal with captain Tom Salter (164) and Peter Yagmoor (161) rounding out the top five.
Young defender Scott Miller was awarded Best Clubman with Sam Michael winning the Most Professional Award and Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds earning the Coach’s Trophy.
2015 Dowling Medal
1. Josh Smith (319 votes)
2. Matt Uebergang (187)
3. Brad Rees (166)
4. Tom Salter (164)
5. Peter Yagmoor (161)
6. Sam Michael (158)
7. Blake Grewar (139)
8. Scott Miller (133)
9. Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds (124)
10. Darcy Cameron-Reeves (101)
Redland FC Award Winners
Dowling Medal (Best-and-Fairest) – Josh Smith
Gregory Medal (Runner-Up Best-and-Fairest) – Matt Uebergang
Best Clubman – Scott Miller
Thomas/Oxley Medal (Rising Star) – Matt Uebergang
Most Professional – Sam Michael
Paul O’Brien Medal (Leading Goalkicker) – Jordan Bain
Players Player – Josh Smith
Bombers Brotherhood Award – Brad Rees
QAFL Player of the Season – Tom Michael
Coach’s Trophy – Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds
Club Person of the Year – Sue Menzies
