Inverleigh names Team of the Quarter Century
The Inverleigh Hawks celebrated their football section with the naming of their "Team of the Quarter Century".
The side was selected by three club stalwarts during the 2025 season with players presented with plaques at a ceremony on Saturday.
“It was the best side of the 25 years but it actually wasn’t 25 years because the club returned in 2002,” co-selector Mick Fiolet explained.
The criteria included a minimum of 50 games, which meant the club’s last two Whitley Medallists Jak Kennedy-Hunt and Jace Kelly were ineligible as was 2016 club best and fairest winner Paul Carson who kicked 86 goals in 19 games.
“It probably took us eight hours because there was a lot we didn’t agree on, but what we did agree on was that we had to stick together with each other.”
Premiership players Scott Condy and Mitch Elford were both named in the back pockets while Brent Ling had the honour of full back.
Another premiership-winning pair, Billy Cations and Jack Fiolet, were named across half-back alongside ball-winner Lachie McCallum.
Three-time best and fairest and former VFL player Dean Muir was named on a wing, two-time best and fairest winner Blake Hutchison at centre and 2017 Daryl Jones Medallist Michael Best on the opposite wing.
Best, who enjoyed two stints at the club, came very close to winning a Whitley Medal when polling 22 votes in season 2019.
Casey Meehan, Dalton Grundell and Mick Grozdanovski were named across half-forward. When asked how many games they had played together, Meehan responded: “Around 500.”
Darren Rowarth’s lengthy career was recognised with his inclusion in the forward pocket.
In 1991, he won the Division 2 league best and fairest for Leigh Districts by polling 16 votes to hold off East Belmont captain Rod Dubbledam (15), Thomson’s Tim Gardiner and teammate David Jolly (both on 13).
He then starred in the club’s 1992 premiership side and, when the club returned from recess in 2002, added to its second chapter of success.
He was asked what he thought of the club’s 2023 senior premiership.
“I was annoyed because we used to be the last players to have won it,” he laughed.
Five-time GDFNL Team of the Year member Adam Donahue was named at full forward while his premiership teammate Nathan Mayes was selected in the other pocket.
James Huybens was selected as the starting ruckman. He won the club’s 2011 best and fairest and finished third in two Whitley Medal counts.
Recent best and fairest winner Jarrod Love was named as ruck rover, followed by Clayton Trotter.
Though Trotter was not in attendance, he was recognised as a seven-time best and fairest winner for Inverleigh, adding to the two he previously won at Anakie.
A GDFNL great, he will also be remembered as a two-time Whitley Medallist, polling 36 votes for Anakie in 2001 before backing it up with 34 votes for the Hawks in 2002.
The talented midfielder also came close to a third Whitley Medal in 2007, polling 18 votes to finish two behind Belmont Lions coach Haami Williams.
Luke Wilson, David Peel, Robbie Logue and Daniel Grozdanovski were also in attendance to receive their plaques, while two-time best and fairest winner Matt Tyquin, Ryan Garrard, Brad Surkitt and Justin DiBlasio were also recognised.
Three-time GDFNL Coach of the Year Mark McDowell was named as coach, with Shane Stone, who guided the Hawks to the 2011 finals series, named as his assistant.
Backs Scott Condy Brent Ling Mitch Elford
Half Backs Billy Cations Jack Fiolet (c) Lachie McCallum
Centres Dean Muir Blake Hutchison Michael Best
Half Forwards Casey Meehan Dalton Grundell (vc) Mick Grozdanovski
Forwards Darren Rowarth Adam Donahue Nathan Mayes
Rucks James Huybens Jarrod Love Clayton Trotter
Interchange & Emergencies
Luke Wilson Brad Surkitt David Peel Robbie Logue
Matt Tyquin Dan Grozdanovski Ryan Garrard Justin DiBlasio
Coach
Mark McDowell
Assistant Coach
Shane Stone
Special Mention
Jak Kennedy-Hunt – 100 goals in a season, League Best & Fairest (didn’t qualify on games played)
