Congratulations to Collingwood wheelchair footballers Andrew Paddle (Development team) and Will Crooks (Senior team) who are the 2022 recipients of the Peter Mac Medal.

The Peter Mac Medal was initiated in 2021 and it strengthens the long-running relationship between Peter Mac and AFL club Collingwood.

It is awarded each year at the end of a Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) game between Collingwood and Hawthorn wheelchair footy sides.

The Peter Mac Medal goes to the player that best represents the values of resilience, commitment and teamwork – as judged by the umpires.

It was awarded as both Collingwood and Hawthorn’s Development and Senior VWFL teams clashed on Sunday 28 August.

Ben Jankovski, Disability Inclusion Officer at Collingwood AFL club, said in addition to their team-first attitudes both Andrew and Will featured among the goal scorers.

“It was a great day overall with both games being a great contest!” said Mr Jankovski, who is also captain of the Collingwood’s senior VWFL team.

In the Development match, Andrew scored four goals as Collingwood (8.11.59) beat Hawthorn (3.2.20) by 39 points.

In the Senior game, Collingwood (14.7.91) downed Hawthorn (11.4.70) and notably Will scored his first goal for Collingwood.

The VWFL exists to provide Victorians with a physical disability the opportunity to play Australian Rules football, at a competitive level.

Since 1993 and during most regular AFL seasons, Collingwood and Carlton AFL clubs compete for the Peter Mac Cup which is the AFL’s longest running charity (and cancer awareness raising) match.