Essendon VFL player Josh Mahoney has been named in the VFL Team of the Year. The former Western Bulldog and Collingwood player had an excellent season for the Bombers playing as both a mid-fielder and permanent forward. Mahoney was named in a forward pocket. His 2001 season was marred by a broken jaw late in the year which saw him miss the final six home and away games before returning for the finals. AFL listed players and rookie listed players who played more than eight AFL games were ineligible for selection meaning Damien Peverill could not be named in the side.
VFL coach Terry Daniher said Mahoney's selection was thoroughly deserved. ""He had a very good season and I'm pleased he got named in the side,"" Daniher said. ""He still has the opportunity of playing AFL football and his selection will help him with those ambitions. He was one of our very good players and it was a shame he missed a fair chunk of the season with the broken jaw - it came at a bad time for us.""
The VFL Team of the Year is:
B: Adrian Little (Frankston) Shaun Smith (Werribee) Kristian De Pasquale (Coburg)
HB: Travis Robertson (Werribee) John Baird (Box Hill) Matthew Brewer (Box Hill)
C: Shannon Gibson (Northern Bullant) David Robbins (Springvale) Trent Churchill (Werribee)
HF: Bevan Malloy (Frankston) Nathan Saunders (Werribee) Adrian Collard (North Ballarat)
F: David Mitchell (Werribee) Nick Sautner (Werribee) Josh Mahoney (Essendon)
R: James Puli (Werribee) David MacGeorge (Sandringham) Jeremy Clayton (North Ballarat)
Bench: Michael Frost (Werribee) Chris Oliver (Springvale) Scott Simister (Frankston) Leigh Harding (Murray Kangaroos)
Coach: Chris Bond
David MacGeorge from Sandringham was named captain.
