Most 18-year-olds dread getting late-night phone calls from their parents, but West Griffith’s Karim Moursi was happy to hear the news his father delivered on Friday.
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Karim was crowned the Griffith District Football Association’s best and fairest player for 2015 at the association’s presentation dinner but was unable to attend the function.
The talented midfielder goes to St Joseph’s College in Sydney and only found out he had won when his father and coach, Dr Sharif Moursi, rang him after the ceremony.
Karim finished with 15 votes to edge out Yoogali SC pair Ryan Spencer (13) and Grant Davidson (12) for the award.
The year 12 student said the recognition came as a big surprise.
“We don’t see who the refs choose after the game, so I didn’t have any idea I was up for it,” he said.
“I knew it was definitely a tough competition. There are some very good footballers in town.
“But it was one of my goals before the season (to win the best and fairest). I worked hard for it and it all paid off in the end.”
Karim has been flying back from Sydney on weekends throughout the season to play for Wests, who battle Yoogali SC in the Billabong Cup preliminary final this weekend.
While he has a busy schedule in Sydney, Karim said the constant travel didn’t bother him.
“I enjoy playing in Griffith, so I may as well do it when I can,” Karim said.
In the women’s competition, Griffith City’s Mel Bonetti (25) was a clear winner of the top gong in front of Hanwood FC’s Emma Butcher (13).
Griffith City’s Ross Panebianco had a memorable night. He won the reserve grade best and fairest trophy with 31 votes and shared the award with Yenda’s Steven Serafin in the over 35s after both polled 14. Leeton United’s Salvatore Amato (15) won the under 18s trophy.
In the Golden Boot, Hanwood FC’s Daniel Johnson (20) was the leading scorer in first grade. Clubmates Luke Papandrea (22) and Michael Cimador (16) were the leading marksmen in reserve grade and the under 18s respectively.
Yoogali SC duo Rachel Lyons (10, women’s) and Mathew Moon (11, over 35s) were the other winners.
Yoogali SC (92.5) won the club championship ahead of Hanwood (71.25) and West Griffith (69.5).