Ryu Yonezawa wins the double at Hobart Zebras

Photo:  David Smith and Nikki Long talk to Ryu Yonezawa in Japan [PlessPix]

Ryu Yonezawa won the Hobart Zebras’ best-and-fairest award for 2019.

The Japanese defender made it a double by also winning the club’s Players-Player-of-the-Year Award.

He was unable to attend the awards dinner as he is back in Japan, but the club was able to Skype him at the function and have him address the audience.

It was a wonderful initiative and showed how much Zebras appreciated his contribution during the season.

Yonezawa polled 27 votes in the Best-and-Fairest Award, while Nicky Edwards was second on 19 votes and Riley Dillon third with 18.

Photo:  Peter Cavarretta presents Mathew Sanders with the Golden Boot Award [PlessPix]

Mathew Sanders took out the club’s Golden Boot Award with 29 goals.  He also won the NPL Tasmania Golden Boot Award for 2019.

Alex Smith was named as the Most Promising Youth Player and was presented with his award by sponsor Simon Robustelli.

In the Challenge League, Sam Plunkett-Smith was the Best-and-Fairest Player and also the Players’ Player-of-the-Year.

Photo:  Enzo Botte (left) with James Ackerley [PlessPix]

James Ackerley won the Coach’s [Enzo Botte] and Manager’s [Nikki Long] Award.

The Rosario Pace Award for the Best Club Person was won by senior NPL coach, David Smith.

The George Marino Award for the Member-of-the-Year went to John Venettacci.  It was accepted on his behalf by his son and social league player Adrian Venettacci.

Special awards went to Jess Jarvis for playing 250 games, Jayden Hey (100 games), Jordan Muller (150 games) and Henry Fagg (200 games).

In the Women’s Super League category, Alli Berry won the Robert Corradetti Best-and-Fairest and the Players’ Player awards, as well as the Golden Boot Award.

Photo:  Isobel Ferrier with her award presented by the owner of Legs and Breasts [PlessPix]

The Rising Star was Isobel Ferrier.

In the Women’s Southern Championship side, Brooke Fiemann was the Best-and-Fairest, while Olivia Leon was the Players’ Player.

In the Under-18s, Alex Smith was the Best-and-Fairest and Arthur Wilson won the Coach’s Award.

Matthew Laird was the Best-and-Fairest in the Division 2 social side, while Kosta Grillas was the Players’ Player.

Photo (L-R):  Frank Mainella, Nick Di Giovanni, Frank Perri and David Smith [PlessPix]

Photo:  Adrian Venattacci accepts the award on behalf of his father, John, from Maria Marino [PlessPix]

Photo:  Alli Berry (right) scooped the top women's awards [PlessPix]

Photo:  Arthur Wilson and Simon Robustelli [PlessPix]

Photo:  David Smith and Sergio Pace [PlessPix]

Photo:  Frank Perri receives the Players' Player award on behalf of Ryu Yonezawa from Johnny Genovesi as Zebras president Nick Di Giovanni makes the announcement [PlessPix]

Photo:  Ronnie De Felice and Jess Jarvis [PlessPix]

Photo:  Rod Sanders received a club man award from Nick Di Giovanni  [PlessPix]

Photo:  Kevin Clamp with his club man award [PlessPix]

Photo (L-R):  Johnny Genovesi, David Smith and Aaron Brazendale [PlessPix] 

Photo:  Carolyn Ferrier, manager of the Women's Super League team [PlessPix]

Photo:  David Smith's NPL side support staff (L-R) John Moutsatsos, Garry Pitchford, Frank Mainella and Frank Perri with Golden Boot winner Mathew Sanders [PlessPix]

Photo:  Challenge League coach Enzo Botte (right) with Sam Plunkett-Smith [PlessPix]

Photo:  The Challenge League crew (L-R) Nikki Long, Enzo Botte, Kathy Botte and Jordan Munday [PlessPix]