NT Thunder Captain Jared Ilett has been named the Captain of the QAFL Velocity Sports Cup Team of the Year
Star Darwin-based midfielder Jarred Ilett capped an outstanding introduction to the QAFL by being named captain of the Velocity Sports Cup Team of the Year.
It was an outstanding achievement by the NT Thunder leader considering he was anointed ahead of States stars and fellow club captains Jacob Gough (Morningside) and Danny Wise (Southport).
Ilett was high in the respective best player awards until slowed by a painful groin injury, but he missed just one game as he tried valiantly to help his side to an inaugural finals berth.
There were a number of unlucky omissions in the Team of the Year, announced at the Grogan Medal Dinner on Monday night.
State mobile defender Nathan Kinch was marginally edged out of a backline berth by teammate Jack Lawler, who was brilliant until breaking his leg late in the season, and Southport dynamo Mark Lynch.
The smooth Cameron Ilett just shaded young teammate Shane Thorne for a wing berth, while Jeff White was desperately unlucky to miss a ruck spot.
Gough enjoyed a stellar season, finished runner-up in the Grogan Medal, and won the No.1 ruck berth from rising star Broc McCauley.
White could have been included as a mobile wingman but just missed out.
Southport defenders Ben Caputi and Damien Charleston were also unlucky to miss after wonderful seasons.
Jordan Doering claimed centre-half-back in recognition of a super debut season with Labrador.
Gutsy Aspley rover Lucas Matthews, who finished fifth in the Grogan count, was also squeezed out by an outstanding array of quality onballers.
Paul Shelton picked himself in the middle, as did ruck-rover Jarred Ilett and rover Wise, while Phil Carse was a great leader for Redland and David Lillico enjoyed one of his best seasons at Morningside.
Velocity Sports Cup Team of the Year
Backs: Mark Lynch (Southport), Kurt Niklaus (Southport), Justin Myers (Redland)
Half-Backs: Jack Lawler (Morningside), Jordan Doering (Labrador), Andrew Scott (Mt Gravatt)
Centre:Cameron Ilett (NT Thunder), Paul Shelton (Morningside), Justin Kahlefeldt (Southport)
Half-Forwards:Tom Rockliff (Brisbane), Peter MacFarlane (NT Thunder), Nathan Gilliland (Mt Gravatt)
Forwards:Ryan Holman (Morningside), Darren Ewing (NT Thunder), Jason Eagle (Redland)
Ruck:Jacob Gough (Morningside), Jarred Ilett (NT Thunder), Danny Wise (Southport)
Interchange:Phil Carse (Redland), James Charlesworth (Redland), David Lillico (Morningside), Broc McCauley (Southport).