GSFL 2024: Robbie Lee and Bailey Bennett share top spot of coaches’ player of the year award after two rounds

The 2023 Kleemann medallist Robbie Lee and Railways gun Bailey Bennett are tied at the top of the Great Southern Football League coaches’ player of the year award after the opening two rounds of the season. Sharks midfield star Lee has played a key hand in his side’s two emphatic victories to start their premiership defence, polling all 10 votes in their 98-point win over North Albany on Sunday, following on from four votes he garnered in their 112-point triumph against Denmark-Walpole in the opener. Sitting alongside him at the top is former Claremont Tiger and silky midfielder Bailey Bennett who has put together a brilliant start to his 2023 campaign back at Tigerland. Bennett polled seven votes in both matches this season after booting four goals against Kangas in their traditional Anzac Day blockbuster clash and showcasing his speed and slick ball use in trying conditions in the round two loss to Royals. Lee’s teammate Bailey Taylor (12 votes) sits third after making an immediate impact following his move from the Goldfields Football League, polling a perfect 10 in their round one victory over the Magpies. Bennett’s midfielder counterpart Jayden Scott and Royals rival Corey Ward are third with 11 votes. Scott collected six votes in his Anzac Day medal-winning performance and Ward has been a consistent contributor in his side’s unbeaten start to the year. Tigers ball winner Ryley Valli and Denmark-Walpole half-back flanker Reagan Hutchinson (10) share the last spot on the podium after each polling perfect 10-vote games. Valli was sensational in his side’s Anzac Day clash in round one while Hutchinson was superb across half-back in his side’s agonising round two defeat against Mt Barker. At the end of each home and away match, league coaches provide their votes in a 5-4-3-2-1 system. Voting is done considering players from both teams, and five votes is the maximum a player can receive from each coach. Great Southern Football League coaches’ player of the year award — Leaderboard 14: Bailey Bennett (RAIL) Robbie Lee (ALB) 12: Bailey Taylor (ALB) 11: Jayden Scott (RAIL) Corey Ward (ROY) 10: Ryley Valli (RAIL) Reagan Hutchinson (DW) 9: Daniel Patching (MB) 8: Zach Jackson (MB) Isaac Baum (ALB) 7: Joel Flick (ROY) Brett Peake (ALB) Tyreice Brown (MB) VOTING Round 1 North Albany v Railways 10: Ryley Valli (RAIL) 7: Bailey Bennett (RAIL) 6: Jayden Scott (RAIL) 3: Travsi Conn (NA) 2: Jaxon Lombardini (RAIL) 1: Anthony Coyne (NA) K. Keen (North Albany) Royals v Mt Barker 8: Zach Jackson (MB) 7: Joel Flick (ROY) Corey Ward (ROY) 4: Dan Patching (MB) 3: - Nic Ashford (ROY) 1: Declan McNamara (ROY) Denmark-Walpole vs Albany 10: Bailey Taylor(ALB) 4: Robbie Lee (ALB) Bryce Blaszkow(ALB) Brett Peake (ALB) Isaac Baum (ALB) Tyler Stone (DW) Round 2 Railways v Royals 7: Bailey Bennett (RAIL) 5: Ryan Lazar (ROY) 4: Jayden Scott (RAIL) Declan McNamara (ROY) Corey Ward (ROY) 3: Hamish McMorran (ROY) 2: Jaxon Lombardini (RAIL) 1: Zak Hortin (RAIL) Albany v North Albany 10: Robbie Lee (ALB) 7: Marlon Bennett (ALB) 4: Isaac Baum(ALB) 3: Brett Peake (ALB) 2: Kane Pinney (ALB) Bailey Taylor (ALB) 1: Travis Conn (NA) Regan Lloyd (NA) Mt Barker v Denmark-Walpole 10: Reagan Hutchinson (DW) 7: Tyreice Brown (MB) 5: Daniel Patching (MB) 4: Marlon Mastalerz (DW) 2: Noah Madaffari (DW) 1: Augstus Brampton (DW) Revis Alone (DW)