 The 2007 season officially came to a close with the club’s presentation night held at the magnificent GEEBUNG POLO CLUB in Hawthorn.
SURREY PARK ruckman Phil Carruthers became the thirteenth Panther to win the club best and fairest in its short history.
Carruthers was a popular winner of the “Horne” medal on the night ahead of team mates Steven Mason and Chris Starritt.
Carruthers continued his impressive season by also taking out the MVP player of the season which was voted by his team mates.
In accepting the award which he won from Steven Mason and Chris Starritt, Carruthers played down his own achievements, pointing out the efforts of his younger team mates.
”I’d like to thank my team mates. It wasn’t a great year but hopefully we can bounce back,” Carruthers said.
“It’s exciting to see massive improvements from players such as Wright & Hassett feature; they are exciting young players.”
Carruthers said he benefited from his first full year in Surrey’s Ruck department following the departure of Grant Fereday.
 “I suppose naturally it is not my style but it is a great learning experience and being such a tough year it was character building,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll be better for it.”
The night brought more than just awards for those who were fortunate to be there, for the night brang the first appearance of the club’s new president Nick Rossoukas and the introduction of the club’s new committee that will take control of the off – field for Season 2008.
Rossoukas declared that the club has a new focus, direction and that “we were all in this together” in rebuilding the football club.
As with Carruthers, ruckman come wingman Greg Borkowski took out the club’s Reserve Grade Best and Fairest after a number of seasons of finishing consistently in the top 5. Borkowski too took out the players MVP award for the Reserves justifying the excellent season he had.
Surrey Park Senior Best & Fairest:
1st: Phil Carruthers
2nd: Steven Mason
3rd: Chris Starritt
Reserve Best & Fairest:
1st: Greg Borkowski
2nd: Nic Newhouse
3rd: Paul Davies
Other Award Winners:
MOST COURAGEOUS: James Wright
MOST DEDICATED: Ash Grace
BEST TEAM PLAYER: Steve Venour
MOST IMPROVED: Nick Hoare
SENIOR COACHES AWARD: David Hollingsworth
RESERVES COACHES AWARD: Brendan King
SENIOR GOAL KICKING: Lucas Dyring
RESERVES GOAL KICKING: Aaron Deveson
Speciality Awards:
"MARK BRENCHLEY MEMORIAL" AWARD: Travis Baker
"PHIL DAVIS MEMORIAL" AWARD: Sam Hassett
RISING STAR AWARD: Matthew Gagliardi
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