WYNNUM Wolves marked its 105th anniversary season with a celebration of its football history and a powerful nod to the women who helped shape it as Matildas great Clare Polkinghorne OAM returned to the club for its 2026 Awards Night.
More than 180 people attended the Sirromet function on Saturday, August 22, including Life Members who were taken through highlights of the club’s 105-year journey.
Polkinghorne, a former Wolves junior and Australia’s most-capped Matilda, was guest of honour and presented the inaugural Clare Polkinghorne Medal to women’s Players’ Player of the Year Charlotte Reid.
It was the second consecutive year Reid had claimed the Players’ Player distinction, with the award carrying added significance in its first year under Polkinghorne’s name.
The club used its anniversary season to permanently honour two of its most influential female football figures, naming its leading women’s awards after Polkinghorne and Gaye Eames.
Eames captained the first Australian women’s team to travel overseas to play football in 1975 — a side made up of Wynnum players.
The inaugural Gaye Eames Medal for women’s Player of the Year went to Khelistar Murray after an outstanding season for the Wolves.
Murray also earned international honours for Samoa during a World Cup qualifying tournament in Honiara.
While Eames was unable to attend the awards night, she was present at Carmichael Park during Female Football Week in May when the new medals were announced.
Youngster Dominique Hepplewhite was named women’s Rookie of the Year, rounding out a strong night for the club’s female program.
Japanese Visa player Masa Yokoyama dominated the men’s awards, claiming both the Wayne Gracey Medal as men’s Player of the Year and the Clarrie Shenton Medal as First Team Players’ Player.
Harry Orford received the Tony McKinless Medal as men’s Rookie of the Year.
Other significant player award winners on the night were:
- Golden Boot Awards: Men — Fernando Nash, 11 goals; Women — Mary-Joy Love, 20 goals.
- 50-game First Team medals: Zachary Maltby, Round 9, 2026; Russell Parker, Round 18, 2026; Kai Partridge, Round 22, 2026.
- Eddie Wilkins Senior Team of the Year Award: FQPL Women.
- Peter White Perpetual Trophy, U23 Men’s Player of the Year: Nickel Mucabel-Bue.
- David Thompson Perpetual Trophy, U23 Men’s Players’ Player of the Year: Luke O’Sullivan.
- Premier Youth Boys U18 Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year: Samuel Noud.
- Premier Youth Girls U18 Player of the Year: Isabelle Poulton.
- Premier Youth Girls U17 Players’ Player of the Year: Taylor Trafford.
- MJL U17 Girls Player of the Year: Mae Folkes.
- MJL U17 Girls Players’ Player of the Year: Luca van Gilst.
