FORMER South Gambier footballer Simon Berkefeld has added to his long line of personal accolades after being awarded the prestigious Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League Mail/Virgo best and fairest medal.
He polled 24 votes from his 16 matches this season and was closely followed by Kybybolite’s David Warren, Padthaway’s Darcy Boyanton and Mundulla’s Tim McIntyre who all finished on 19.
Berkefeld moved to Penola Football Club in 2016 and has had his fair share of success, winning the premiership and runner-up best and fairest for the club in his first year.
Due to sustaining a foot injury earlier this season he was deemed unfit for both Murray South East and State Country representation for 2017.
However, he did captain the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Knights at the South East Zone Interleague Football Carnival.
The Knights finished runners-up to his former league Western Border.
The onballer had his fair share of success earlier in his career with the Western Border Football League, earning both premierships and personal accolades.
He won the league best and fairest in 2011, as well as a nail-biting premiership in 2015 after going into overtime against North Gambier.
Football is not the only sport Berkefeld excels in.
He in renowned across the region for his skills on the basketball court.
Berkefeld has won numerous most valuable player accolades and titles, representing his local Bulldogs side in the South East Coast Basketball League competition, as well as Mount Gambier in the Country Basketball League.
However, with a preliminary final against Lucindale on Saturday, Berkefeld said he was focused on the chance of a back-to-back football premiership.
“We have a really good group at the moment,” he said.
“Our group is hungry to go all the way, but that is the same as the other sides left in it too.
“It will be tough to get the premiership, but we will do our best.”
Commenting on his personal season as “a bit up and down” Berkefeld said he was shocked to receive the league best and fairest honours.
“There are so many good players in the league and within our team, so you need a bit of luck,” he said.
“I started the year off okay, but then struggled a bit after my foot injury.”
Berkefeld said the biggest adjustment was the unknown when entering into the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League in 2016.
“You don’t hear as much about other teams in KNTFL compared to in Mount Gambier where you know each side well,” he said.
“The standard of football is really good as well.”
Despite some less than satisfactory team performances throughout the season and a big loss to Mundulla on Saturday, Berkefeld said he had enjoyed his time with the club and was eager for more success.
“I have really enjoyed being a part of the Penola Football Club,” he said.
“The whole community has made me feel welcome and I have made some good friends out of it too.
“I am just hoping we can finish the year strong.”
Berkefeld’s league accolade was one of three for Penola.
Scott Merrett was awarded for his efforts throughout the 2017 home and away season with the Scott McFarlane Rising Star Award.
Merrett has had a solid season in the midfield and has excelled at both interleague, zone and state level this season.
The Eagles’ success did not stop there with Penola Football Club also claiming the Glenelg Club Award on an impressive 206 points.
Dylan Walker also placed third in the Reserves League medal to top off a good year.
Merrett, Berkefeld and ruckman Seb Guilhaus were selected in the starting team-of-the-year, while Brodie Foster was on the interchange.
While individual success is congratulated, the Eagles will now turn their focus to their ultimate goal – a back-to-back premiership.
It is no secret Penola will come out determined in the preliminary final at Naracoorte.
However, after booting Lucindale out of finals contention in 2016, the Roos will be hungry for redemption come Saturday.
