GSSA 2024: Brinham Dibble Medal victory credited to hard work by humble Bayswater captain James Opuni

Versatile Bayswater captain James Opuni believes his 2024 Brinham Dibble Medal is a great reward for hard work after he was named the Great Southern Soccer Association’s men’s division one best and fairest. The star utility played many different roles for his side on all corners of the park to clinch the prestigious medal with 25 votes, ahead of runner-up Caledonians’ Joseph Love with 21. Opuni said as captain he hoped he was able to lead his young side by example by playing any roles he was required to. “It’s just great. I mean all the hard work I’ve put in over a couple of years has paid off and people have noticed,” he said. “I thought to myself ‘surely someone else will get it’, I did not once put my name into it — it’s an honour. “I just play my best and I feel a couple of guys look up to me, so I just do my best out there and hopefully the efforts pay off. “I played pretty much everywhere this year. “I’m just happy to play wherever the team needs me; as long as I’m running around out there, that’s the main thing.” The 24-year-old believed it was a strong season for his side, which came agonisingly close to clinching silverware in the cup final. “We didn’t start how we wanted to, but towards the end, as a team we were getting there,” Opuni said. “The cup game, we absolutely played well to get into it and it was just unfortunate we didn’t win the grand final. “Top effort from the team and we did great out there.” Rovers marksman Justin Bielecki won the golden boot award with 32 goals, while Phoenix young gun Malcolm Van Burgel won the coaches player of the year with 21 votes and the Andrew Walsh rising star award. Caledonians’ Clinton Ridley and Rovers Jake Swadkins tied for the division two best and fairest award, the latter also taking out the golden boot award with 23 goals. Michael Martain from Caledonians won the division three fairest and best gong with 26 votes, four ahead of Phoenix’s Nathan Groenewold, and Phoenix’s Josh Vanduyn was the golden boot winner with 35 goals.