“I’d especially like to thank my mum who brings me a feed after training,” he said,

As well as being the Dudley Tuckey medal winner and the 2008 Sandover medallist, Ballantyne was also a joint WA Footballer of the Year award winner with Subiaco full forward Brad Smith, represented WA for the second consecutive year in the state game against Queensland earlier this year and topped Thunder’s goal kicking list with 75.

“It hasn’t all sunken in yet,” Ballantyne said.

“It’s been a huge buzz but the truth of it all is I’ve just enjoyed the season playing with all the boys and love to play.”

The latest win should further boost Ballantyne’s chances of being picked up in the AFL national draft on November 29.

Already he has had informal talks with AFL clubs including both West Coast and Fremantle.

“Ideally I’d love to be able stay in WA and play here because all my mates and family are here but I have no expectations.

“I’ll just have to wait and see.”

AN AWARD given to the player who receives the most votes from his peers, captain Daniel Haines has further confirmed he is the popular choice as club leader after winning the Mandurah Mail Player’s Player award.

At the end of the season players vote for a teammate who demonstrate the highest levels of consistent football, punctuality to games, training and club functions, professionalism, respect to others and leadership.

Haines, 27, took over the captaincy role in round nine this season after former leader Grant Welsh announced his retirement.

The former Fremantle Docker said they were “big shoes to fill” but he has more than adequately filled the role - playing 15 games for the year for 12 goals and an average of 16 disposals per match.

He finished the Dudley Tuckey medal count in third position with 121 votes.

A football career dogged by injuries, Haines has played 111 WA Football League senior games over his nine years at the Thunder and it has been his determination and positive attitude to fight his way back into the side which has won him plenty of popularity.

His 16-game AFL career at Fremantle was brutally cut short by injuries - he has had six operations and countless injuries ranging from the knee, ankle, achilles, foot, shoulder and finger.

Haines thanked his wife Chantelle for allowing him to continue to play football after he was de-listed from the Dockers in 2006 and vowed to return next year to lead Thunder as best he can.

A moving presentation

LAST Saturday night’s Peel Thunder awards was also a time to remember the late club patron Dudley Tuckey.

In a moving presentation put together by Thunder information technology officer Luke Mundy, old photos of Tuckey were played on the big screen to John William’s Australian classic True Blue.

In honour of the loyal Thunder supporter, the Tuckey medal, awarded to the league fairest and best player, has been renamed the Dudley Tuckey medal, which Dudley’s son Jim presented the winner Hayden Ballantyne.

In other awards Tom Carroll was named as the colts player’s player, the leadership award went to Jake Withers, Chris Luff placed third in the colt’s fairest and best count with 87 votes, second was Mitch Brown on 102 votes and the runaway winner on 140 votes was Dean Beswick.

Midfielder Matt Brown finished the evening with two awards, winning the Arthur Marshall Young Player of the Year award and the Tom Stone medal as the player for outstanding character and achievement.

Ballantyne’s 75 goals for the season was enough for him to win the club’s leading goal kicker award and Neville James was named best club person for his contribution towards the construction of the new scoreboard at Rushton Park.

In the reserves Brad Green placed third in the fairest and best count with 73 votes, in second was Rhys Senior with 78 votes and the Justin Giumelli won with a massive 167 votes.