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Bendigo Bombers’ captain, James Flaherty, has capped off a magnificent season by gaining selection in the Victorian Football League’s 2009 Team of the Year.
As part of a star-studded line-up, James was selected in the team’s Full Back position, having played the majority of the home and away season in a key defender’s role with the Bombers.
“My selection came as a real surprise but it’s certainly a great honour” a delighted James said in Bendigo today.
“It’s the first time I’ve gained selection in a team of the year and although I had a pretty consistent home and away season, I didn’t think I really had a chance of making the team.”
“I started the season consistently and from about the middle of the season onwards, my form improved and I played some really good matches, especially against Port Melbourne and Geelong when I was opposed to some tall forwards who were tough opponents.”
Selection in the team of the year exemplified the quality of James’ performances during a season in which he was re-appointed as the club’s senior captain and was the runner-up in the club’s best and fairest award for the second year running.
Club General Manager, Peter Lodewijks, said that James’ selection was an honour which was thoroughly deserved.
“In only his second year as senior captain, and in his third with the club, his on and off-field leaderships skills continued to mature and he revelled in his defender’s role, playing consistently well throughout the home and away season when the back line was under a lot of pressure.”
“Competition for positions in the VFL team of the year is intense because there are so many talented players, especially in key positions such as full-back.”
“James also polled extremely well in the club’s best and fairest voting and he had several best-on-ground performances.”
“His consistency throughout the season, including his best games, evidently impressed the team’s selectors and we’re elated that his efforts have gained the recognition they thoroughly deserve.”
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