A NEW award established in 2011, the Coaches’ Award replaces the Most Improved and Best First Year awards that have been presented in previous years at Port Adelaide’s Best & Fairest evening.
Selected by the entire coaching committee, it is bestowed to reward the player who best exhibits the team behaviours of selflessness, humility and reliability.
The inaugural winner of the Coaches’ Award is Tom Logan, one of the heart and soul players of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Logan is the sort of player who the coaches can rely upon to do the ‘dirty’ work. His ability as a close-checking defender is unquestioned, and he regularly puts himself in positions where others fear to tread, backing back into packs and taking the big hits.
In 2011 he played 20 games, missing only two late in the year after suffering an injury to his plantar fascia in Balfours Showdown XXXI in Round 19.
His highest possession game for 2011 came against St. Kilda in Round 16 when he picked up 25 possessions, took 11 marks and laid three tackles.
Logan’s leadership qualities continue to grow as he becomes a vital part of the Power side, with the 26 year old duly recognised by the coaches for his consistency and representation of team values throughout 2011.