Steve Johnson has been recognised for his impressive first season in charge of Newtown & Chilwell by being named coach of the GFNL Team of the Year.
Despite limited recruiting, the Geelong great lifted the Eagles back into the finals, securing the double chance.
The Towners are well represented in the final team, with four players from Elderslie Reserve earning selection: Ned Harris, Braden Hocking, Ben Pennisi and Mitch Diamond, with Harris further honoured with the captaincy.
Grand finalists St Joseph’s and St Mary’s, beaten elimination finalists Bell Park, and seventh-placed Leopold each had three players selected.
The team features eleven first-time selections, including league-leading goalkicker Connor Giddings from Leopold.
Eight players from the 2024 team held their spots: Hocking, Dragons duo Ben Lloyd and Jack Sarcevic, Joeys pair Luke Webb and James Gow, Colac’s Zach Zdybel, Saint Brayden Ham, and South Barwon’s Fraser Fort.
Nine clubs were represented, with Geelong West, Grovedale and North Shore the clubs to miss out.
X: @krockfootball
