The 2019 Wimmera Football League season was one to remember, with feats of individual brilliance, worthy of recognition.
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The Mail-Times worked with the league's coaches and experts to come up with a Wimmera Football League team of the year.
Where started with the one tasked with calling the shots.
Coach
John Delahunty, Minyip-Murtoa: It's hard to look past someone that's been nominated for the state's coach of the year award. Delahunty had a perfect first season at the helm, guiding the Burras to their first flag in 21 years.
Backs
Ben Lakin, Horsham: Lakin was a standout in a difficult year for the Demons. Horsham's captain coped well with an increased workload down back and won his club's best and fairest.
Andrew Devereaux, Horsham Saints: Devereaux was the Saints' defensive general and helped his side shut down games on numerous occasions.
John Delahunty, Minyip-Murtoa: The Burras coach led from the front with his tireless performances. Delahunty was part of a backline that was as clinical moving the ball forward as it was in defence.
Half-backs
Sam Weddell, SM Giants: Weddell made his case as one of the league's best this season. The Giants tall reads the ball better than most and claimed intercept marks with ease. Weddell was runner-up in this year's Toohey Medal count.
Tim Mackenzie, Minyip-Murtoa: Often played as a floating man, Mackenzie's football smarts were regularly on show. Although he copped an injury early on in his return to his boyhood club, the 25-year-old quickly made up for lost time and was named in the best nine times.
Sam White, SM Giants: White was ever-reliable in defence and was named the Giants' most consistent at their best and fairest count. White was clinical moving the ball out of the back this season, and even snuck in a few goals to highlight his all-round game.
Midfielders
Nick Peters, Warrack Eagles: Peters' omission from the top 10 in the Toohey Medal count surprised most. The Eagles' talisman was simply dominant and was named in his side's best in every game he played.
Coleman Schache, SM Giants: Schache's season did his reputation as one of the league's best players no harm. The Giants coach's tireless work in the middle of the park goes a long way to putting his side in winning positions. Schache won his club's best and fairest to go alongside his best on ground medal from the interleague win and third-place finish in the Toohey Medal count.
Dan Mendes, Ararat: Mendes is Ararat's barometer and was influential in his side progressing to the preliminary final. The hard-running midfielder also offered goals from the middle of the park, finishing with 21 for the season.
Followers
Ruck, Reece McNally, SM Giants: McNally reached new heights in his second season with the Giants and regularly released his midfielders into threatening positions.
Rover, Ben McIntyre, Minyip-Murtoa: The Toohey Medallist is a definite pick. McIntyre settled into the league early and was influential how the Burras played their football. Alongside brother Tim, McIntyre created headaches for defenders leaguewide with the ease with which he got the ball into the forward 50.
Ruck rover, Deek Roberts, Horsham: Horsham's co-coach didn't let his effort wane, in what was a demanding season. Returning from a broken leg, Roberts covered every blade of grass in each game he played. Roberts' talent was recognised with selection in a wider Vic Country representative squad.
Half-forwards
Jake Harrap, Nhill: Harrap was dominant for the Tigers, comfortably winning his club's best and fairest to go alongside his best opposition player award. Usually played in the centre, Harrap's 14 goals suggest he could easily do a job in a forward pocket.
Jae McGrath, Minyip-Murtoa: McGrath was a focal point of the Burras' attack, collecting 42 goals for the season. McGrath shared his club's best and fairest with partner-in-crime Brad Inglis.
Jack Ganley, Ararat: The Ararat stalwart racked up another stellar season, playing across the midfield and rolling forward when needed. Ganley finished with 30 goals and was named in the best on nine occasions.
Forwards
Tom Taurau, Stawell: Taurau finished equal-fourth in the Toohey Medal count, alongside teammate Tom Eckel. Taurau was a selfless runner in the Warriors' forward line, often creating opportunities for those around him.
Cody Driscoll, Stawell: In what was remarkably his first season back from a partial ACL tear, Driscoll was the league's leading goalkicker. An ability to drag in most marking opportunities went a long way to helping Driscoll bag 47 goals.
Brad Inglis, Minyip-Murtoa: Inglis settled well into life with the Burras'. After not arriving until round four, Inglis quickly made up for lost time. The recruit was pipped for the leading goalkicking award in the last game, finishing with 46. Inglis was also named the Burras' best and fairest, alongside Jae McGrath.
Interchange
Matt Rosier, Dimboola: Rosier adapted to the Wimmera league with ease. The tough-tackler looked just as comfortable stringing together passages of play as he did chasing down opponents.
Luke Fisher, Horsham Saints: Fisher went to work in the trenches for his young brigade. The Saints coach's work around the contested ball, often helped set up the willing runners around him.
Tim McIntyre, Minyip-Murtoa: McIntyre offered a touch of class in his first season in the Burras' engine room. McIntyre provided 22 goals from midfield and finished second in his club's best and fairest count.
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