Alex Goodall – 150 Game Milestone
Alex Goodall – 150 Game Milestone
This weekend one of the Club’s most decorated players, Alex ‘Cheese’ Goodall, plays his 150th open-age game for the Pennant Hills Demons.
At 29 years of age, Alex has played footy for most of his life, 10 seasons with Westbrook Juniors and 2019 is his 15th year playing senior footy and is his 12th season with the Demons. He was a member of the successful 2008 premiership side and was Pennant Hills Footballer of the Year in 2014. He was also an AFL Sydney Representative player over several seasons and was selected in the AFL Sydney Team of the Year on five occasions. Most of his footy has been played as an inside midfielder. He is built like a ball of muscle with a low centre of gravity that is ideal for his aggressive, bash and crash style of footy. But it’s not all about the brawn, as he has top level skills and a keen footy nous.
As a measure of his undoubted talent, Cheese stands alone as the only three-time winner of the Ern Holmes Trophy at the Demons, awarded to the Best and Fairest senior player. There’s a short list of dual winners, including current team and clubmates Matt Carey, Kieran Wright, Anthony Brawn and Matt Thomas, but Alex tops the list with his three trophies.
Statistically, season 2014 was the pinnacle of his career at the Demons. That year, he was voted the best in the Sydney League, winning the Phelan Medal, making him one of only six Demons to win the top award. At club level he was Footballer of the Year, won his third Senior’s B&F and was also the senior side’s Players Player for the 3rd time. He also played rep footy and was named in the AFL Sydney Team of the Year for the 5th time. The only downer was losing the 2014 Grand Final to Manly Warringah; the second consecutive year with the same result … a win to Manly!
From his stellar season in 2014, Cheese was offered an opportunity to play a higher level of footy with the Albury Tigers competing in the strong Ovens and Murray League. Over three seasons with the Tigers he played more than 50 games and was a two-time premiership player, winning consecutive flags in 2015 and 2016. In an unusual coincidence, he followed in the footsteps of current clubmate, Lloyd Shepherd, who played with the Albury Tigers between 2010 and 2013 and was also a two-time premiership player. The real coincidence though, was that both Cheese and Shep played in the last two finals of the Club’s three-peat of flags between 2009 and 2011 (for Shep) and between 2014 and 2016 (for Cheese), respectively. Cheese returned to the Demons last season in 2018.
In spite of all his success, the awards and the honours achieved, Cheese remains a humble and simple bloke and will be embarrassed by all the fuss being made because of him. In recent reflections, Jason Clarke captured some of his essence “… from the shy little kid (that would shower in his underwear!!) he’s developed into a larger-than-life club person. Everybody loves the Cheese!!! As for his footy [ability], well to watch him, is mind blowing and the sheer amount of power that he plays with is incredible!” Cheese is a true champion of the Club and embodies the spirit of what it means to be a member of Pennant Hills Demons. He has been an exemplary exponent of the mid-fielder’s craft and is a leading role-model for the young men and women coming through the ranks, setting the example through his actions, hard work and fighting spirit!
On behalf of everyone at Pennant Hills we wish Cheese the best of luck for his milestone match and congratulate him on this magnificent achievement!
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ALEX GOODALL #14 – MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
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| 1. | Premier Division Grand Final 2008 – at Henson Park – 20 September 2008
Pennant Hills 20.12-132 defeated East Coast Eagles 3.10-28 Alex Goodall 1 goal & #5 best for PH; Scott Reed – Rod Podbury Medal
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| 2. | Seniors – SS&A Cup Grand Final – Lavington Panthers Oval – 18 September 2016
Albury Tigers 9.17-71 defeated Lavington Panthers 4.7-31
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| 3. | Seniors – SS&A Cup Grand Final – Lavington Panthers Oval – 27 September 2015
Albury Tigers 17.11-113 defeated Lavington Panthers 11.18-84
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| ALEX GOODALL #14 – CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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| Games Played | ||
| Open-age 150
(2005 – 14, 2018 – 19) (12 seasons) |
144 Premier Division
6 Reserve Grade 16 Under 18 |
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| Premierships | ||
| Premier Division
Premier Division Runners Up |
2008
2014 |
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| Awards | ||
| Phelan Medal
Pennant Hills Footballer of the Year Premier Division – Best & Fairest Premier Division – R/U Best & Fairest Premier Division – Players Player Premier Division – Coaches Award/Best Midfield Player |
2014 (28 votes)
2014 2008, 2012, 2014 2007 2007, 2012, 2014 2010, 2012 |
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| Representative Honours | ||
| Sydney AFL Representative Teams
Sydney AFL Team of the Year (5 times) |
2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2007 (HFF), 2008 (C), 2012 (C), 2013 (RR), 2014 (C) |
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| Phelan Medal Voting | ||
| Total votes received 2008 – 2018 | 81 votes | |
| Albury Tigers (#14) | ||
| Seasons 2015 – 2017 | 54 games, 46 goals | |
| Premierships | 2015, 2016 | |
| Junior Football | ||
| Westbrook Juniors (1996-2005) – 156 games, 82 goals | ||