Billy Cootee wins first Michael Taylor Medal

Billy Cootee has won Norwood’s 2025 Best and Fairest Michael Taylor Medal at Friday night’s Club Champion Awards Evening at The Arkaba. 

The midfielder was outstanding in his second season at The Parade, polling 308 votes, edging out Runner Up Nik Rokahr (300 votes) and third place Finn Heard (282).

Pierce Seymour (276) and Jack Heard (273) rounded out the top five in the vote count.

Cootee, who arrived at Norwood from Essendon’s VFL program ahead of the 2024 season, played all 21 SANFL matches for Norwood in 2025, kicking 24 goals for the season (third in Norwood’s goal kicking).

The 22-year-old Victorian averaged 23 disposals, one goal, five tackles and five clearances in 2025, well and truly establishing himself as a premier midfielder in the SANFL.

He was selected in The Advertiser’s SANFL Team of the Year for the first time in 2025, alongside Seymour as Norwood’s two players featured. Cootee also represented the SANFL in the State Match against the VFL during Gather Round.

Cootee’s career best game came in Round 14 when the Redlegs demolished the Eagles, gathering 39 disposals, two goals, four tackles and six clearances.

Cootee and Rokahr became a great one-two punch in Norwood’s midfield in 2025, lining up together for the first time in Round 1.

Runner Up Rokahr also played every match for Norwood in his return to The Parade in 2025, after spending last season playing for Swan Districts in Perth’s WAFL where he won the League’s Best and Fairest, the Sandover Medal.

Rokahr didn’t miss a trick in his first year back at Norwood, averaging 25 disposals, five clearances and five tackles. He led the League in disposals this season, and was top 10 in clearances.

Rokahr also won the club’s Best Player in the Finals Series Award, playing one of his best games of the season against Centrals in the Elimination Final. He gathered 27 disposals and laid 11 tackles, in Norwood’s memorable win over the Bulldogs.

Third place was Finn Heard, who played a selfless role in the ruck this season when regular ruckman Luke Surman was hampered with injury.

At just 195cm, Finn always went into the ruck undersized, but did an incredible job to expose his taller opponent at clearance and around the ground. He averaged five tackles and five clearances this season, a top 10 clearance player in the competition.

When playing in his regular position, forward, Finn kicked 18 goals from his 21 matches this year.

Not many will forget his performance in the must win match against Port Adelaide at Coopers Stadium in Round 19, where he gathered 32 disposals, 18 clearances, 22 hitouts and 10 inside 50m entries. A “Harry Boyd” like effort.

Finn Heard was also awarded the Fortis Trademark Player Award on Friday night, awarded by his peers to be living the Norwood mantra of Fortis in Procella – Strength in Adversity. An award voted by the playing group each week.

Pierce Seymour was awarded the Woods Medal, for his contribution to the club and playing group on and off the field, while Captain Jacob Kennerley received the Garry McIntosh Best Team Man Award.

Tristan Binder collected his Leading Goal Kicker Trophy after booting 39 majors throughout the season.

Connor Ling won the McCallum Rising Star, best first year player award, playing 20 SANFL matches in his first season at Norwood.

Calem Krollig won the Reserves Best and Fairest for season 2025, playing a strong role as a key defender all season.

Krollig polled 135 votes, ahead of George McLeod who finished Runner Up on 128.

Max Hodges received the Reserves Fortis Trademark Award.

Norwood also conducted its SANFL Wheelchair Football League Best and Fairest at the Club Champion Awards Evening, which was taken out by Jamie Smyth with 25 votes.

In his first season at Norwood, crossing over from Central District in the off-season, Smyth was outstanding from the first minute of the season.

He scored 98 goals, and finished top three in the League Medal Count earlier this month.

Captain Grant Leonard was Runner Up, polling 11 votes, and also received the Fortis Trademark Player Award.

Also recognised on the night was Club Volunteer of the Year, Thomas Tiver, and Trainer of the Year Martin Faulkner.

The club thanks all volunteers, trainers, coaches, staff, players, supporters, members, and every Norwood person for their involvement in season 2025.