SCHLOITHE CLAIMS 5TH WJ HUGHES MEDAL

After announcing his retirement a few weeks ago, Haiden Schloithe thought he would provide the club with one more final show stopper, taking out his 5th WJ Hughes Medal.

Haiden topped off his remarkable and highly decorated career at South Fremantle by equalling fellow 5-time WJ Hughes Medallist, Stephen Michael who has won the award in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983.

Both Haiden and Stephen originated from our Upper Great Southern region and are recognised as champions of our great club.

Schloithe took out the WJ Hughes Medal on a total of 181 votes at the Esplanade Hotel on Friday night with the exceptional ceremony celebrating the 2022 season. Haiden capped off his last season with an average of 25.3 disposals per game, leaving him top of the Souths leaderboard with a total of 481 disposals across his 19 games played.

Haiden Schloithe finished the Hughes Medal vote count with an astounding 181 votes while Toby McQuilkin was recognised for his stand out season finishing as runner-up with 128 votes.

2020 Premiership defender Chad Pearson cemented himself as one of the elite defenders in the competition and finished third in the best and fairest voting with 121 votes.

Premiership wingman turned on-baller in 2021 Tom Blechynden had another exceptional season finishing fourth position on 112 votes.

Glenn Byron wrapped up his season on 111 votes while star recruit Brendon Ah Chee finished in sixth with 101 votes, Hamish Free seventh on 88, versatile key position player Blake Schlensog in eighth on 75 votes, Noah Strom ninth on 71 and Brandon Donaldson in tenth on 69 votes.

Other major awards winners on the night included Mason Shaw winning the John Gerovich Trophy as leading goalkicker for the 5th time in his career, Haiden Schloithe taking out the Outstanding Player award, the Courage and Perserverance award went to Jarrad Doney, newcomer Josh Cuneo was awarded the Best Clubman and young gun draft prospect Steely Green took the award for League Best First Year Player.

Retirees and Premiership Players Nick Suban, Haiden Schloithe, Steven Verrier and Mason Shaw were all celebrated on the night for their outstanding careers at South Fremantle and their presence on the ground will be missed.

The Roy McGuinness Medal as Reserves Best and Fairest was won by George Wessels. Wessels won the award with 134 votes to take it out ahead of Jaxon Bellchambers (104), Jarrod Salmeri (106), Jacob Sax (101), Travis Abbott and Nathan Spooner (94), Angus Fraser (91), Trent Newton (86), Ben Rioli (79), Mitch Sinnott and Lachlan Taylor (73) and Solomon James finishing on 68 votes.

Seth Connor, another newcomer to the club, won the Dave Ingraham Memorial Medal and City of Fremantle Mayoral Trophy to claim the Colts Fairest and Best award for 2022 in his first season with the Bulldogs.

He won with 111 votes to take out the award ahead of Christian Wilson (104), Captain Roan O’Hehir finishing in third with 60 votes, Jordan Douglas (53), Chase Bourne (52), Jordan Rodriguez and Jacob Whan (45), Lachlan Turley (41) and Liam Brandis (34).

LEAGUE AWARD WINNERS
WJ Hughes Medal (Fairest and Best): Haiden Schloithe
N MacDonald Memorial Trophy (Runner-up): Toby McQuilkin
Past Player & Officials Trophy (Third place): Chad Pearson
John Gerovich Trophy (Leading Goalkicker): Mason Shaw (23 goals)
Shearer Family Trophy (Best First Year Player): Steely Green
Culver Family Award (Courage & Perseverance): Jarrad Doney
Warren Medal (Best Clubman): Joshua Cuneo
Outstanding Player Award: Haiden Schloithe

RESERVES AWARD WINNERS
Roy McGuinness Medal (Fairest and Best): George Wessels
Centurion Club Award (Runner-up Fairest and Best): Jaxon Bellchambers
Harold Harper Award (Third Fairest and Best): Jarrod Salmeri

COLTS AWARD WINNERS
Dave Ingraham Memorial Medal & City of Fremantle Mayoral Trophy (Fairest and Best): Seth Connor
L & F Mihaljevich Award (Runner-up Fairest and Best): Christian Wilson
Third Fairest and Best: Roan O’Hehir
Len Gilchrist Award (Leading Goalkicker): Liam Brandis

PP&O’s Encouragement Award: Jordan Douglas
Best Clubman Award: Joshua Taylor-Thorpe
Best First Year Player: Jacob Whan