LEOPOLD veteran Lee Collins was given a fitting send-off in the final round of the GFL season on Saturday.
The Lions almost upset St Joseph's finals campaign in a thrilling one-point loss and Collins was recognised by the Joeys' coaching staff for his tireless performance in his farewell game.
Collins was judged Leopold's best player in the 11.10 (76) to 11.9 (75) result, ensuring he finished runner up to Grovedale's Paul Waldron in the Geelong Advertiser Player of The Year award. Waldron, who was a runaway winner in Grovedale's best and fairest award count held on Sunday, failed to poll a vote from the Tigers 13-point win over Geelong West-St Peter's and finished the season on 27 votes.
He was four clear of Collins with Bell Park midfielder Tim Sheringham picking up two votes from the Dragons thumping win over Lara to finish third. Waldron will received his trophy and $500 winner's cheque at the GFL's Mathieson Medal night on Wednesday, September 9.
GFL FINAL LEADERBOARD
27: Paul Waldron (Grovedale) 0
23: Lee Collins (Leopold) 3
21: Tim Sheringham (Bell Park) 2
20: Luke Buckland (SB) 1 Nick Batchelor (Bell Park) (3)
19: Cam Wright (Leopold) (0) 19
17: Liam Rock (GWSP) 0
16: Michael MacFarlane (St Albans) 2
15: Ben Harris (Lara) 0, Aaron Gleeson (Grovedale) 3
