Host of awards for Albany Vikings cohort at the AFL Masters National Carnival in Adelaide

A contingent of Albany Vikings returned with premierships and All Australians honours from the AFL Masters National Carnival held in Adelaide from September 25-October 1. Quartet Brett Hall, Jono Woods, Peter Smith and Clint Westlake were rewarded for their individual efforts, earning All-Australian awards in their age categories. The over-45s division one team and over-50s division one team both lifted premiership trophies after victories against Tasmania and Victoria Metro in their respective grand finals. Vikings’ Hall, Joe Galantino, Gavin Boyce, Will Piercey and Robert Field were part of the winning 50s division one team. The WA side played three games, including a 17-point triumph over Vic Metro in the grand final. A commanding 8.2 (50) to 3.3 (21) win against Tasmania and a 13.7 (85) to 2.1 (13) trouncing over Vic Country set up the decider against Vic Metro. The WA over-50s side was then crowned champions after a 9.8 (62) to 7.3 (45) grand final win over Vic Metro. Newdegate’s Westlake and Albany’s Simon Deegan also featured as the over-45s won their first two matches against Vic Country 10.4 (64) to 2.3 (15) before accounting for South Australia 7.7 (49) to 4.5 (29). WA withstood a strong challenge from Tasmania in the decider but held on for a gritty 8.8 (56) to 6.3 (39) victory to lift the cup. The combined WA and Northern Territory over-45s emerged victorious in the division two grand final. Woods (over-55s) and Smith (over-60s) received All-Australian awards for their efforts in the their respective categories. Mt Barker’s Mandie Villis played in the women’s division at the week-long event, with her side finishing runner-up in the 45s age category. Vikings’ Simon Deegan said he was thrilled with the local representation at a national level. “There’s a big crew that go along and everyone played really well from the club,” he said. “Pretty much all the Vikings that went away came back with a medal of some sort. “We were one of the only clubs to do that in the whole State so it was a great achievement. ‘I’ve been away to this event 10 or so times and it’s always a good time.”