Schwarz wins Demons best and fairest
By Matt Burgan
Monday, October 04, 1999
|
|
INSPIRATIONAL centre half forward, David Schwarz last night won the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott club champion award - Melbourne's best and fairest for season 1999.
Schwarz (271 votes) won the award by the narrowest of margins, defeating the versatile Shane Woewodin by one vote who finished with 270 votes.
Midfielder Andrew Leoncelli finished third with 253, defender Anthony Ingerson fourth with 214 and David Neitz rounded out the top five with 201 votes.
It was a remarkable achievement for the man they call ‘The Ox’, having undergone three knee reconstructions, the first two in 1995 followed by another in 1996.
In accepting the award, Schwarz paid tribute to his mother Mary who joined him on stage in an emotional speech.
'After my third knee reconstruction in 1996 I nearly gave football away,'
'The strength of my mother is one of the factors that inspired me to keep wotking hard in my efforts to play again.'
'It has been difficult at times, but now being named as club champion alongside the names of Barassi, Flower, Lyon, Stynes and Viney makes it all worthwhile,' Schwarz said.
This came after a stellar 1994 season (particularly his finals series), which had him set to join the competitions' elite players.
He led the AFL in marks with 173 in 1994, and thrilled the crowds with his aerial feats and goalkicking ability.
After working his way back into the game through the latter part of 1997 and again in 1998, Schwarz adjusted his game accordingly, to a more physical and robust presence.
Yet in 1999, Schwarz’s continued progress again saw him press claims as one of the competitions leading forwards.
Last night’s best and fairest win is a just reward for his determined efforts, and should earmark him as the favourite to take over the Melbourne captaincy from the retired Todd Viney.
His best and fairest win caps off a fine year after winning Victorian representation for the first time.
Schwarz's win comes after finishing third in the best and fairest in 1992 and 1994, while runner up Shane Woewodin claims his first top three placing.
For Andrew Leoncelli, it is the second time he has finished third, with 1997 being the other occasion.
|
|
|
|
|
