Rosella ruckman wins league best and fairest

By Paul Amy

CHELTENHAM ruckman Ewen McKenzie's season ended with the excruciating pain of a broken leg in the first semi-final against Clayton.

Last Friday night the big fellow received a nice pick-me-up in the form of the Southern league first division best and fairest medal.

McKenzie, recruited from VFL club Sandringham this year, polled 22 votes, one more than another ruckman, St Kilda City's former WAFL star Myles Quinn, and Clayton rover Victor Currie.

Then came City's John Lindsay (19) and Chelsea Heights coach Ryan Flack (14).

McKenzie, from Lakes Entrance, played for Gippsland Power and had three years at Sandy, starting from 2005. Adam Martin brought him to Weatherall Rd.

The man who answers to "Frankie" said he had an "awesome" year at his new club.

But Chelt will be lucky to see him next season. Compound fractures of the tibia and fibia have left him with a long road to recovery.

"Hopefully I'll come back and play the last five games before the finals," the 21-year-old electrician said.

Rosellas president Ron Jenkins made the point that McKenzie was not only an outstanding footballer, but a fine young man.

"We're proud to know him, let alone have him playing for us," Jenkins said.

[Wednesday, March 04, 2009]