North Melbourne forward first Centralian to win Polly Farmer Medal
CENTRAL Australian Matt Campbell's upward trajectory in the AFL was given another hurry along last Saturday night when he was named best-on-ground in the Indigenous All-Stars' 54-point demolition of Adelaide in Darwin.
Campbell rode his side's surge of aggression at the ball and at the Crows as the All-Stars totally outplayed Adelaide to win 14.13 (97) to 6.7 (43) to reclaim the Pastor Sir Doug Nichols Trophy.
The North Melbourne goalsneak played his heart out and was a deserved winner of the Polly Farmer Medal. Campbell said he would forever cherish the award and his part in the All-Stars' win.
"I've read a few books about Polly and seen some vision of him on The Marngrook Footy Show. I think he was a great player and he was one that stood up for Aboriginal people in the old days," he said.
"Right now, this means more to me than what I have ever achieved in football so far. And this jumper, I'll frame it and I'll put it above the Australia (International Rules) one I've got at home."
"I'm very humbled and a bit embarrassed to win the medal. There were a lot of good players out there tonight. I thought Travis Varcoe and his forward line pressure was right up there and young Warren Benjamin, who’s not even a ruckman, played his heart out in the ruck."
Campbell was was overlooked in two drafts before being punted on by the Kangaroos -- incidentally, as the final Indigenous player selected -- in the 2006 pre-season draft (No.34). He has more than repaid the faith.
In his 35 games in two seasons at Arden Street, Campbell has averaged around 10 possessions per game, booted 42 goals (at 1.2) and formed a deadly partnership with fellow Indigenous forward, Lindsay Thomas.
Sadly, Campbell's mother passed away shortly after he was drafted. He thinks about her all the time, even when playing football.
"I lost my mum in the first year of the draft," he said. "My first year in Melbourne was just after the funeral and it was a hard time. I was touch and go about going home or staying, but I got over that. The family has been very supportive; Dad has been very good.
"Every time I play in a big game ... I think it would be good for her. She didn't see me play a game in the AFL. Just to walk off the ground tonight with this medal, it would've been good for her to see it, but she was up there watching, so in a sense I've done it for her."
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
* See the Photo Gallery for a range of pictures from the All-Stars v Adelaide Crows match.
Last Modified on 11/02/2009 00:29