THE Wheelchair football season is officially complete with the 2024 Collingwood Wheelchair Presentation Night being held at the AIA Vitality Centre this evening.
It was a night of celebrations in a year to remember for both of our Collingwood Magpies Wheelchair Football Teams. The Community Wheelchair Football Team (CWFL) and Victorian Wheelchair Football Team (VWFL) each completing their 2024 campaigns as Grand Finalists, respectively.
In the VWFL, the Magpies finished their 2024 campaign as runners-up in the Robert Rose Cup Grand Final, with plenty still left to prove.
But it was the 2024 Community Wheelchair Football League Premiers that stole the show.
Back in August, the CWFL Magpies went into the big dance as the ‘David’ in a battle between the ‘Goliath’ against the Tigers, in what was one of the best games of the season.
The CWFL Magpies beat the undefeated Richmond in its first-ever Grand Final appearance. The win showed off their resilience and determination, after Collingwood finished third on the ladder and had longest journey to reach the finish line.
2024 Community Wheelchair Football League - Best & Fairest
Defender Brad Axford took out the highest honour of the evening, winning the 2024 CWFL Best & Fairest award.
The star defender went from strength to strength in his debut season for the club, taking home both the Best & Fairest and Best on Ground Award in the 2024 CWFL Grand Final.
He played a pivotal role in the 21-point win against Richmond, where he produced an inspiring performance against the highest-scoring team in the league.
The Tigers’ attack was no match for the defensive wall of Axford, Matthew Blunt and Tim O’Connor. But it was when Axford, a natural defender, who was tactically moved into the forward line and produced a brilliant goal in the last term, that cemented him officially as ‘best on.’
The 2024 Collingwood Wheelchair award winners:
VWFL Best & Fairest – To be announced on 4 October at the 2024 E.W. Copeland Trophy
VWFL Coaches Award – Martyn Ford
VWFL Most Improved – Sam Maraldo
CWFL Best & Fairest – Brad Axford
CWFL Best and Fairest Runner Up – Troy Hawkins
CWFL Coaches Award – Jack Elliot
CWFL Most Improved – Kaine Sinclair
