By Jonty Ralphsmith
Tooradin workhorse Jesse Craven has won the Gippsland Power Boys Best and Fairest award following a consistent campaign in his side’s engine room.
Craven averaged 19 disposals across 14 matches in 2024, with his stoppage work and two-way running complementing first round draft prospect and Morrish Medallist Xavier Lindsay well.
The Seagulls local returned to Gippsland as an over-aged player in 2024, after managing just seven games last season, and four in 2022, as his school football commitments with Haileybury College took precedent.
After playing on the wing for Gippsland last year and juggling different game plans, establishing continuity in the midfield for the Power allowed him to thrive in 2024.
“I had a chat to the coaches before the season started and I wanted to go into the midfield and they said ‘we see you as a midfielder but let’s work on your running,’” Craven said.
“Throughout preseason and in-season I was looking to get my running to the highest possible standard to benefit the team and it improved heaps.
“The past few years, in that fourth quarter I would be coming off extremely tired and this year I’ve had that extra in the legs to help the team get over the line.”
In a league where significant focus is put on players using their offensive weapons, Craven played several critical roles around the footy to keep opposition playmakers accountable, helping the unheralded Power line-up claim several upsets throughout the year.
Most notably, he played on Dandenong co-captain Harvey Langford three times in 2024, significantly limiting the top-three AFL draft pick contender’s influence in Dandenong’s Coates Talent League quarter-final victory.
“Coming up against some really good midfielders in the competition, my ability to win the one-on-ones was definitely a key focus of mine,” Craven said.
“When we played Dandenong, I was going with Harvey Langford at all stoppages.
“It’s good to see where your own game is at against some of the best and he is definitely one I enjoyed playing on and throughout the year.
“Obviously he’s so strong and (he) definitely had me covered in the strength area, so body positioning in the midfield was something I tried to focus on and attacking him rather than him leading me to the footy, so I tried to get my positioning right and hands on it first.”
The 176cm player’s trusty form for Gippsland led to a VFL berth for Casey late in 2024, having trained with the Demons throughout the year, providing an insight into the demands of state league footy.
While conceding there was a sense of hollowness that he was unable to ever enter draft discussion during his time at Gippsland, Craven is keen to play the highest level he can, but hasn’t settled on a footy home for 2025.
As well as his game for Casey, Craven also got a taste of senior footy at Tooradin, playing eight games for the Seagulls across the past two years.
“I’ve been there my whole life and came through the senior ranks,” Craven said.
“It’s probably my favourite place to play footy, it’s such a good community, and everyone’s so connected.
“There’s such a family environment and having guys like (former AFL players) Adam Oxley and Matt Buntine to help me improve is awesome.”
Following his VFL debut, ‘Gulls coach Jordan Kelly spoke of the esteem Craven is held in at the club, with those around the Power are similarly glowing about his team-first mindset.
“I think he’ll take that step (to VFL) – his skill level and IQ is 100 per cent there and he’s super clean,” Kelly said.
“I have no doubt he’ll have a long VFL career which is pretty cool for the club.”
See below for a full list of award winners from Gippsland’s Best and Fairest.
AWARD BOYS GIRLS
Best and Fairest – Jesse Craven Ash Centra
Runner-up Best and Fairest – Max Donohue Jas Sowden
Best Clubman – Allan Chandler N/A
Coaches Award – Alix Tauru Zahri Burn
Leading Goalkicker – Asher Eastham Ash Centra
Trainers and support staff award – Xavier Lindsay Chelsea Sutton
U17 Future Star – Willem Duursma Ella Stoddart
U16 Future Star – Wil Malady Grace Dillow
Best first year player – Mitch Stevens Brooke Hunter
Most improved – Harry Canning Lilly Leighton
Most determined – Brodie Atkins Rebecca Fitzpatrick
Most professional – Max Stobie Zali Gallagher
