Announcing The 2007 Vitale Medal!
06/02/2007

WHO'S TAKING 'DAN' HOME? FIND OUT ON FEBRUARY 13TH!

The Bullets Football Club, in association with Corey Delaney Event Management, proudly present the 2nd Annual End-of-Season Dinner and Vitale Awards night.

This year's spectacular emanates from the grand old Elsternwick Club in (not surprisingly) Elsternwick. The change of venue was an unfortunate necessity as it became apparent the staff at last year's venue, Michelangelo's Pizza And Pasta Restaurant, had not forgotten the spot fires that engulfed the venue after Dan Vitale repeatedly attempted to show kitchen staff exactly how "well done" he wanted his steak after being disappointed with what several witnesses described as a "medium rare" porterhouse. The Elsternwick Club has hosted many notable black tie events in the past, including the 1996 Parking Inspectors Annual Ball, Elsternwick Primary School's Grade 6 Graduation Night, and the Under-7 State Tiddlywinks Championships.

Last year's emcee, Eddie McGuire, will not be returning to the hosting duties this year after last year's infamous 'wardrobe malfunction'. The incident just reinforced the public's view that they have seen 'too much' of Eddie McGuire. McGuire has been replaced by Ray Martin, who sensationally quit Channel 9 so that he could host the event. After Channel 9 management baulked at the idea of Martin hosting an event that they were not televising, he gave his notice. "I've presented The Logies, numerous election specials, and a plethora of hard-hitting investigative pieces for 60 Minutes and A Current Affair over the years, but this is The Vitale Medal. It doesn't get any bigger than this. This night is more important than all of those other things combined," Martin quipped.

A night that often evokes much controversy, The Vitale Medal is named after club legend and Hall-of-Famer Dan Vitale, and is awarded to the best and fairest player for The Bullets Football Club, as judged by Warren 'Coachy' Burford. There is no greater honour in recreational football than to win a Vitale Medal. So prestigious is it, that all of the past winners have had difficulty coping with the fame and fortune that comes with it. Indeed, one needs only to look back to last year's event when winner Luke Barisic awoke from his celebrations in intensive care and with a stint in Barwon Prison awaiting him.

One aspect of the evening that always creates a lot of interest among the throng of media is the red-carpet arrivals. Since the season ended, many Bullets players have been active on the social circuit and it will be very interesting to see who they arrive with.

The Vitale Medal is definitely up for grabs with Luke Barisic, Andrew Merryweather, Dean Jones and Rob Hazell all poised to strike with three rounds of voting still remaining in the count. Aside from the Vitale Medal, there are a number of other awards that are presented on the night, including Best First Year Player, Most Improved Player, Best Clubperson, Leading Goalkicker and, for the first time ever, The Silver Bullet. The Silver Bullet is awarded to the player(s) who demonstrated what it means to be a Bullet, through either a hard-working, skilled, committed or courageous piece of play.