Marlion Pickett wins Gerry Bahen Classic

A MEMORABLE 2016 for the South Fremantle Football Club concluded on Friday night with the Gerry Bahen Classic at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with Marlion Pickett capping his outstanding year by taking out the annual race.

The final training session of the year for the Bulldogs has coincided with the Gerry Bahen Classic on the Friday night for some time now in what is a popular event for players, support staff and supporters alike.

Another good crowd was in attendance for the occasion on Friday night with the event named in honour of the late Gerry Bahen who was a loyal clubman at South Fremantle.

The Gerry Bahen Classic is highlighted by a race featuring the players in the senior team. This year’s 100m sprint was taken out by Marlion Pickett.

Daniel Cabassi and Tyson Pickett weren’t far behind, but it was Marlion who proved the quickest over the distance taking out the win ahead of the youngster Cabassi and his younger brother.

All three received vouchers kindly donated by official partner Café Bellavista.

As has become tradition, Gerry’s wife Jimmy was on hard along with other members of the Bahen family to acknowledge the annual race’s winners.

It ends a tremendous 2016 for Marlion that saw him again represent Western Australia for a second straight season and finish runner-up to Shane Hockey in the WJ Hughes Medal fairest and best voting.

South Fremantle president Haydn Raitt addressed the assembled gathering of around 100 Bulldogs supporters earlier in the evening as well as he looked in excitement looking towards what awaits in 2017.

Incoming chief executive Tom Bottrell was also reintroduced to the South Fremantle faithful as the former 200-game premiership player prepares to assume his new role back at the Bulldogs early in 2017.

The South Fremantle house ladies provided an enjoyable dinner for all present at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Two Christmas hampers were also raffled to support the occasion. These were won by 1980 premiership player Ross Sweetman and the most passionate of all Bulldogs supporters, Wayne.