Midfield stars Nick Francis and Shannon Nolan have claimed Bond University AFL Club’s highest individual honours.
Francis, the 2024 Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholarship recipient, polled 121 votes to win his first Blue and Gold Award as Best and Fairest, finishing ahead of close mate Miles Enders on 91.
The two schoolmates from Xavier College in Melbourne were central to Bond’s breakthrough 2025 QFA premiership, forming a one-two punch that helped deliver a 7.13 (55) to 6.7 (43) grand final win over Coolangatta. Fittingly, it was Francis who kicked the extra-time goal that put the Bull Sharks in front.
Enders, who battled a knee injury that curtailed his midfield minutes, reinvented himself as a key forward and finished with 49 goals for the season. His impact was further recognised when he shared the Rising Star Award with QAFLW senior standout Sky White.
“We are thrilled for Nick,” said Bond University Director of AFL Andy Lovell.
“His performances all year have been superb. He has also been the major driver behind a new culture of excellence within the team where the players support each other but also push each other in training.
“And what an incredible first year Miles had. I think it’s fair to say he was at the centre of the majority of the big moments throughout the year. Everyone is excited to see where he can take his game next season once he’s fully fit.”
Jack Avage, who kicked the match-winning goal in the grand final, finished third in the count with 64 votes, ahead of Ollie Burrows-Cheng and Tommy Bennett.
In the QAFLW count, Shannon Nolan was a runaway winner. She polled 160 votes to finish well clear of second-placed Maisy Evans on 87.
A late-season surge saw Ella Calleja (76) edge out Jasmyn Davidson (74) for third, while Evy Reeves rounded out the top five.
The award completed the clean sweep for Nolan who also won the Emma Zielke medal as the QAFLW best and fairest.
“She is winning everything at the moment, and it is thoroughly deserved,” Lovell said of Nolan.
“The way she has worked on her game to turn herself into an elite midfielder has been really impressive and inspirational to her younger teammates.
“It was also great to see Maisy Evans take her game to a new level in just her second season at the club.”
The newly renamed James Fitchett and Paris Lightfoot Club Person of the Year Awards went to Alex Crow and Dr Nikki Milne.
Lovell said Crow’s classy response to a season-ending ACL injury had earned him the admiration of teammates and coaches alike.
“Alex injured his ACL halfway through the season and missed the chance to play in a premiership with his mates,” he said.
“But his attitude was terrific. He didn’t miss a single training session or game and was available for any task the players or coaches needed.”
Dr Milne was recognised for her tireless efforts in the women’s program.
The other major award winners were Charles Payne and Riley Perrett who took out the QFA and QAFLW reserves best and fairest.