10 August 2016
Mail Medal Preview 2016
The Mail Medal continues to be the peak individual award in Community Football, winners are introduced as a Mail Medalist for a lifetime, and the counts create a huge community interest. The B Grade competition in Mid West has the Montgomerie Medal and Colts, the Lockwood Medal. All will be counted following the 1st Semi Finals at Wudinna on 20th August 2016, along with the junior netball medals.
2016 promises to be a wide open medal count, so many contenders. The Bulldogs have taken all before them this year, but have done it on the basis of team football, sharing it around. The Hawks find themselves in unaccustomed second place, great contributors throughout and some big highlights, the Rovers reunion stands out. Wirrulla has won plenty of matches and boast a host of high profilers, Elliston have injured stars now, but don’t forget they were not always injured. Wudinna United will have eye catching performers, young legs and a couple of old stager vote collectors and Western Districts, so many medals have headed that way over the years, will it happen again?
Central Eyre
The is little doubt that the Bulldogs have captured the eye of the umpires over the season, undefeated, the closest any side has come is the Hawks in round seven – 45 points. Stars everywhere and workload shared. It must be asked however, are there just too many snouts in the trough? Only two players have played all matches, and some injuries here and there to key chances. Zac Fitzgerald has enjoyed a fantastic season, 65 goals to round 14 and has the goal kicking award sewn up. Represented SA Country and plays in the midfield, missed three matches however. Jake Sampson is prolific in the midfield and only missed a couple of games, he is constantly in the thick of the action, right under the umpire’s gaze. Jake Bruce is now back to his best, but had an interrupted first half of season, that pesky hamstring again! was nursed through by the coaching staff to ensure he is tip top for the business end of the season, the strategy is certainly working. Tasman Fitzgerald has been a regular go to forward, his high marking and long kicking captures attention, Keenan Bury has enjoyed an outstanding year, hard running and tough, Jared Sampson, the winner in 2014, had a North American odyssey mid season, but always a silky operator and immaculate skills, Ty Mc Kenna, late start to the season with injury issues but a great second half of the year, Jesse Stringer, will command votes but knee problems have hampered him this year, valuable addition back to the team now, likewise with Ty Habner, lengthy layoff with hamstring but right back in the thick of it all. Lachlan Heath a regular best player list attendee, run and rebound from half back and on the ball, Clint Winter is a clever small man, goal sense and disposal skills wonderful. Kane Sampson, always a high vote collector, Tom Freeth, dominating Centre Half back, Hayden Heath dominating Centre Half Forward, just keep on coming up with names of vote getters and could be ongoing, maybe this might be the issue with a medal on a ‘dog in 2016?
West Coast Hawks
Another great season by the Hawks, and they find themselves right at the sharp end of finals action again. While they haven’t cracked the Bulldogs just yet, they have run themselves to very large victories over the stretch and will poll plenty. Always look to the reliable Montgomerie name, has any other family polled more Mail Medal votes in world history? Dale a winner in 2014 and a great year, hard worker around the centre and a regular contributor to the scorecard. Long hair that cant be missed!, Dillon, the worthy 2015 winner and another stellar season, some later injury concerns but is a key mover and shaker at the club. Boom recruit Mark Dolling, sheer strength and desire for the contest, Froggy plays well in all conditions, a past medal winner Yorke Peninsula FL and SANFL Magarey Medal place getter. Dylan Kelsh back in the side since late June after a sorty down to Tasman FC with brother Reece, what a welcome return he has been, giving great bite to the Hawks in the ruck and around the ground. Jake McEvoy possesses an exhilarating speed and ability to take a high mark, he has spent more time in the midfield this year, but is equally at home in key positions. Nick Schumann gets plenty of the football and has enjoyed lots of advice from the opposition helping him along, Aiden Whitford a past Presidents Medal, less games and less time on the ball in 2016. Tyson Montgomerie another good year but has missed games along the stretch, Kirk Montgomerie an excitement machine with dashes from the back half, also a couple of sneaky forays forward, Derrick Freeman, a class operator in mainly the last line of defence, always the big jobs and commands plenty of respect across the League. The Hawks play a team oriented fast style of play, very pleasing to watch, they regularly appear at the very top of medal counts.
Wirrulla
Interesting season from the Bombers, awe inspiring at their best, they have had players in and out through the season. Wirrulla seem to be the logical challenger to the top two teams, but must get their full complement out on the same day. Some terrific competitors at the Hangar. Cant go past the hustle and bustle of Ryan Watson, for a cool customer day to day, he winds up to a highly focused and dedicated tornado on the competition side of that white line, shirks nothing and must get the umpires attention in addition to his opposition's! Cody Colbung since arriving at the club late round one, has knocked up getting the football and tough/rugged. Doesn’t mind a goal either. Ever reliable Simon Webb, mainly at half forward, but occasionally on the ball, a proven vote winner and plays a stylish brand of football, very team oriented and a club leader. Jarden Stoetzer, the Leagues strongest and despite a year of injury issues, when he plays, he dominates! Won the Presidents Medal in 2015 and will get the eye again, has he missed too much footy?. Yanni Kozminski, mainly in the ruck and from time to time at key forward positions, must be high in the best and fairest award and is high in the Leagues MVP award too, always an indicator! Reliable big man and hard worker. Mitchell Gum when home from college will gain attention, Jason Henderson, perhaps carrying unaccustomed injury in 2016, but he is a regular contributor to the Bomber cause, Joe Pedler some cameos, Shannon Haynes and high jumping forward with a knack for goals. The Bombers traditionally poll well and they have won enough games to host a medallist, often a key requirement.
Elliston
A wicked run of late season injuries has foiled the chances of the Leagues “X Factor” team. Only a month ago maybe it was the Roosters that could spoil the Bulldog run, but they are now a shadow of that potential, with serious injury to key personnel. That said, for a long time the Roosters have been up and about, and delivered some great football along the way. Jay Williams is a gilt edge leader, played for SA Country v SA City pre season and then won selection again against WA, only to break his leg in the lead up match against the Hawks. His sheer work ethic is eye catching. Tom Rumbelow broke his arm early round 13, another great season after a year in the Mid North, uncanny ability to win the ball, and super skilled. Always polls well. Jordan Newton, out now with injury, but played some wonderful football, 15 goals against Wudinna United memorable, and the go to man up forward, Liam Newton, also injury late, but his mid field form propelled to Roosters forward time and again. Adam Hurrell has spent many games at the Port Adelaide academy side, but when home he rarely misses the best one or two, a prolific mid fielder, his long an accurate left foot is devastating, Ben Hurrell, mainly at centre half forward this year was in outstanding form, injured now and the Roosters are missing his presence, he just sets up so much. Guy Hutchison when home from College is a star, solid and fast, he wins the hard ball or equally at home in space. Ross Bascomb, very welcome back from Tasmans in the Port Lincoln league, high possession winner and an architect of many forward forays, Brody Kenny catches the eye with his leg speed and skills, he probably has enjoyed a break out year at Elliston, elevating himself to one of the Roosters most dangerous. Andrew Mc Leod early, another who has lost plenty of football with injury. Elliston are still in the run for a finals place, which is a credit to the hard work put in earlier in the year. They play exciting football in full flight and enjoy some of the League most passionate supporters.
Wudinna United
Tough year for the Magpies, key injuries and loss of younger players to Adelaide colleges. Coach Zwar is a cunning fox, and gets the best from his charges, often in matches for long stretches. Given the lack of wins, can they get enough first preference votes to challenge?. Looking at 2015, the answer is yes. On coach Zwar, Henry almost took out the Mail Medal in 2015, coming runner up and will poll again in 2015, despite late season injury, he remains an outstanding player and leader. Ian Jericho takes all the big jobs and handles himself beyond his young years, Sam Buckham, usually around the centre, but missed games at Norwood and early injury. Remi North, particularly in the second half of the year has had plenty of the footy and places his body on the line, Neil Seaman with run form half back, marks well and sets up play from defence, and strong in the contest. Brayden Chambers, not much of him but gives it everything, regularly in the Magpie best and in his best form right now, brave and determined. Tyson Tree in the ruck, he has an astounding leap and a great work rate around the ground, Matthew Greatbatch in the centre, not flashy, but puts his body on the line time and again, and must get attention, Jack Wilkins when home, wonderful skills and fitness with ability to play at much higher levels. Harry Petty, much of the year in Adelaide, but a high marking genius and healthy attitude towards winning. Frazer Douglass speed to burn when back home for Adelaide, played early season in the Norwood Under 16s, Wudinna United are still in the finals race and stand to gain their youngsters back if they make it, who knows what can happen then?
Western Districts
Tough year at Tigerland, always hard to beat, well structured by the mastermind Scotty Feltus, just need additional forward bite to bridge that final gap. The Tigers always play with heart and have the knack of having that recognised in medal counts. Two immediate stand outs are Scott Feltus and Shannon Horgan. Scott Feltus has won the medal four times and five time runner up President’s Medal, that is nine times in the top two. Another great year, he knows nothing different, big heart and just tries his heart out every week against every opponent. Shannon Horgan has also had a stellar year, leading the way in the midfield, just a high work rate and passion for the contest. These two are in the contest for the League’s MVP, which is always an indicator for the Mail Medal. Zane Montgomerie’s star is on the rise, a particularly good second half of the year, he can play tall or as a runner, and won plenty of admirers for his efforts. Brodie Falciani can produce excellent football when his mind is on the job, hard and rugged, he has the skill set to match. Dylan Beinke played a few great games prior to being struck down with injury, he looked to be that extra mid that the Tigers needed, so his loss was a cruel blow. Jerel Fromm has been a key for the Districts boys for many years, plays through soreness and when he plays well, the Tiger’s play well. Damon King-O Loughlin is a powerful defender or a go to forward, Trent Brace is dependable, mainly these days as a defender. The Western Districts boys will be keen to finish the season on a high note against Elliston, understood to be Jerel Fromm’s retirement game and also wondering whether this group will play together again given the travellers that they have?
Last Modified on 11/08/2016 13:07