Sport
19 September, 2026
Healey and Piercy AFL’s best and fairest
SOUTH Cairns Cutters’ Jeremy Piercy received the Crathern Medal as AFL Cairns men’s best and fairest player at their presentation night last Sunday at Cazalys.
Piercy also finished second in the coaches MVP vote with 84 votes and was selected among the followers in the 2026 AFL Cairns men’s team of the year, underlining the consistency of his senior campaign.
North Cairns Tigers leader Luana Healey claimed the Butland Medal as the women’s best and fairest player.
Her season included 71 coaches MVP votes, selection at half-forward in the AFL Cairns women’s team of the year, the women’s leading goalkicking title with 45 goals and recognition as women’s coach of the year.
As coach, Healey guided the Tigers through an undefeated 16–0 home-and-away season and into a third consecutive grand final, following the club’s 2025 premiership.
South Cairns Cutters’ David Skeene was awarded the Reg Dean Medal as the men’s development grade best and fairest player. His award followed a competitive Cutters development campaign that reached the elimination final while continuing to provide opportunities for younger players.
The night also recognised the competition’s emerging talent. Thomas Hession of South Cairns Cutters won the Troy Clarke Rising Star Award after a breakout senior season in which he assumed the Cutters’ sole ruck role.
Hession was selected as the 23rd player in the men’s team of the year and played an important part in the Cutters’ preliminary-final win that secured a grand final place.
Theressa Woosup of the Manunda Hawks received the women’s rising star award. Woosup made her senior debut in 2026, performed in multiple roles for the Hawks and featured in the Gold Coast Suns under-16 academy program.
Port Douglas Crocs coach Brad Cooper was named men’s coach of the year after returning to the senior role and leading the Crocs to a 15–1 home-and-away record.
The Crocs ranked first in the league for disposals, clearances and goals during the home-and-away season, following a campaign built on strong recruitment and high standards.
Healey’s coaching award came after an equally commanding season for North Cairns. Her Tigers were unbeaten in the home-and-away season and her coaching approach was recognised for setting high standards, supporting younger players and strengthening the club’s culture.
The coaches MVP awards went to Port Douglas Crocs midfielders Murphy Short and Caity McPhee.
In his second season with the Crocs, Short polled in 14 of 16 matches to win the men’s award with 86 votes. He led the competition for disposals at 32.8 per game and inside 50s at 6.4 per game, ranked second for contested possessions and third for tackles, and was selected in the men’s team of the year.
Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs captain Josh Butland won the Matt Walsh Medal as the men’s leading goalkicker for a second successive season.
Butland kicked 91 goals across the 2026 home-and-away season, including 10 goals in the final round to secure the Bulldogs’ place in finals.
