July 22, 2022
South Burnett Saints’ player Brad Porter was presented with the inaugural Ben Brooks Medal during an emotional ceremony at the end of last week’s home game at Lyle Vidler Oval in Kingaroy.
The Round 13 Darling Downs AFL game was played in memory of Ben, a much-loved former Saints player who died of leukaemia and lymphoma earlier this year, just seven months after being diagnosed.
Ben joined the Saints as a junior in 2013 and just a few years later was playing in the senior squad.
The Saints’ club, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its foundation this year, decided to honour Ben by holding a “Ben Brooks Memorial Day” every year.
And the Brooks family was invited to select a player from each team to be awarded the “Ben Brooks Award” for displaying “courage, determination and a never-give-up attitude”.
Brad Porter was presented with the medal for the Saints, while the Warwick Redbacks’ Jake Peasnell received the award for his side.
Out on the field, the Saints’ men put on a brave performance in the last quarter against the Redbacks but were not strong enough to overcome the visitors, who went home 12.13-85 to 4.6-30 victors.
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The Saints’ women travelled to Dalby last Saturday to take on the Dalby Swans … and notch up their first win for 2022.
Sharlene Smith led the way for South Burnett, kicking three goals as part of Saints’ 6.3-39 to 1.4-10 victory.
Other Saints’ goals were kicked by Kiara Wright, Reanna Fenton and Kayla La Rue.
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This weekend, the Saints’ men and will be taking on the Goondiwindi Hawks at Lyle Vidler Oval, Kingaroy.
The women’s game will start at 12:45pm, followed by the men at 2:30pm.
