Clayton scoops Magarey
Gutsy Port Adelaide midfielder Jeremy Clayton has capped off a stellar individual season by taking out the
Magarey Medal, awarded to the fairest and best player in the SANFL in season 2005.
Clayton, who spent last season with the Kangaroos, polled 24 votes to edge out enigmatic North Adelaide
forward Nick Gill, who polled 20.
Norwood’s Scott Borlace and Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Luke Powell shared third place with 16 votes
apiece.
The courageous 24 year-old suffered a ruptured spleen last Sunday in a qualifying final against the Eagles,
and thus was unable to attend the ceremony, but a season average of 30 possessions per game over 19 rounds had
him installed as a short-priced favourite for much of the season.
Clayton, who ironically missed out on the VFL’s Liston Trophy in 2003 due to suspension, was understandably
delighted by being capped with South Australian football’s highest individual honour.
“To win this award (against) so many great players across the competition is quite humbling,” he revealed,
also paying tribute to his teammates, who will play a semi-final against Central District this Sunday at AAMI
stadium without Clayton.
"This award would not have been possible without my team mates, and I thank each and every one of them.
They are a fantastic group of blokes who I love playing footy with so they deserve some of the credit, along
with (coach) John Cahill.”
After a slow start, the nuggetty onballer took the lead for good after round 16, and he polled another
seven votes in the last month of the season.
Bulldogs spearhead Daniel Schell won his second consecutive Ken Farmer medal for finishing the
competition’s leading goal kicker, while South Adelaide’s Mark Demasi, West Adelaide pair Blake Wegener and
Glenn Dundovic (tied), and Port Adelaide’s Lindsay Thomas and South Adelaide’s James Boyd (tied) took out the
league best and fairest awards at Reserves, under 19’s and under 17’s levels respectively.
|
Magarey Medal Top 10 |
| Jeremy Clayton |
Port Adelaide |
24 |
| Nick Gill |
North Adelaide |
20 |
| Luke Powell |
Eagles |
16 |
| Scott Borlace |
Norwood |
16 |
| Damian Squire |
Sturt |
13 |
| Heath Culpitt* |
Glenelg |
13 |
| Justin Cicolella |
Eagles |
13 |
| Simon Arnott |
Central Districts |
12 |
| Anthony Brown |
Port Adelaide |
12 |
| Chris Gowans |
Central Districts |
12 |
| Chris Ladhams |
North Adelaide |
12 |
Note: *Ineligible to win medal.
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