An excellent performance against Richmond in the Qualifying Final last Friday night combined with the one-match suspension of star full forward Matthew Lloyd has ensured Bomber skipper James Hird will win the 2001 Bomberland Tag Heuer Player of the Year Award. Hird polled four votes in last weekend's match and has 56 for the season - nine ahead of Lloyd and the third-placed Jason Johnson. Dean Solomon was voted the best player on the ground for Essendon last weekend for his brilliant defensive efforts on Matthew Richardson on Brad Ottens. Blake Caracella collected the three votes with Stven Alessio (2) and Lloyd (1).

David Kitsowski of Epping was the week's lucky voter and he has won a $50 gift voucher to spend at the on-line Bomber Shop.