WATERMAN WINS E.B. COOK MEDAL

BY DAN SCAMOZZI 

Powerful forward Alec Waterman capped off a stellar 2020 season when he won the prestigious E.B. Cook Medal as Claremont’s fairest-and-best player at a glamorous event at Revo Fitness Stadium. 

The 24-year-old was rewarded for his breakout League season, where he played an integral part in helping Claremont reach its first grand final since 2012.

“(It’s a) huge honour to win the E.B. Cook Medal,” Waterman said.

“To see my name up there with some great players (from the Club) will be awesome.”

The award is fitting recognition for the professional and inspirational Waterman, who has fought his way through adversity and become one of the most respected and dominant players at Tigerland.

The thumping left-footer attributed “another really good pre-season” and the “consistency of my training” to his improvement as a player.

“(I’ve) had a couple (of pre-seasons) in a row now and (the) body’s just getting used to it more and more,” Waterman said.

Waterman also won the leading goal kicker award, with his 26 majors in 10 games featuring six hauls of three goals or more, including seven goals in Claremont’s two finals.

An outstanding midfielder in his earlier years, Waterman is now flourishing in the forward line, with his work rate, leading, marking, and accurate kicking all hallmarks of his game.

“(I) definitely have improved,” Waterman said.

“Learning how to play as a forward was tough early, but learning the craft required and seeing it come off on game day is really rewarding.”

Consistent midfielder Jye Bolton took home the Kevin Sullivan Memorial Trophy after finishing runner-up to Waterman, and won the Les McClements Memorial Trophy after polling the most votes in The West Australian, with ferocious midfielder Jared Hardisty (Sir Charles Court Trophy) finishing in third place.

Consistent defender Jack Lewsey won the Engine Room Award, while the versatile Ryan Nyhuis capped off a fine debut season with the Tigers by winning the Players’ Player Award.

Reliable defender Dec Hardisty won the Sacrificial Tiger Award, while fellow defender Tom Baldwin won the Phil Crabb Trophy for Best First Year League Player.

Midfielder and outstanding clubman Tom Curren won the Dennis Marshall Trophy as the Reserves’ fairest-and-best player and also won the Players’ Player Award, with fellow midfielder Ben Elliott (Fran & Ross Ledger Trophy) finishing runner-up.

Swingman Jack Buller (Kevin Somes Trophy) finished in third place, while emerging defender Anthony Davis won the George & Stan Mell Memorial Trophy after polling the most votes across all grades.

Meanwhile, midfielder Logan Young won the Colts’ fairest-and-best award, ahead of defender Jack Avery and fellow midfielder Jake Willson.

Captain and midfielder Joel Western won the MVP Award, with Jacob Blight and Leith Fitzpatrick winning the Players’ Player Award and Encouragement Award respectively.

League leaderboard: Alec Waterman (116), Jye Bolton (114), Jared Hardisty (71), Kane Mitchell & Dec Mountford (54), Cal England (53), Dec Hardisty (45), Oliver Eastland (39), Anton Hamp (37), Haydn Busher (29), Jack Lewsey & Isaac Barton (27), Ryan Nyhuis (25), Bailey Rogers (19), Jeremy Goddard & Harry McCracken (10), Dylan Smallwood (7), Rylie Morgan (5), Ryan Lim (4), Ty Smallwood (3), Tom Baldwin (1).