THIS year’s Golden Rivers Football League E.G. Hunt Medallist is looking forward to tomorrow’s grand final rather than focusing on winning the competition’s top individual honour.
Murrabit midfielder, Bryden Morison claimed the league medal in his first season with the Blues in a dramatic count that came down to the last round of the home and away season.
Morison’s best on ground performance against Moulamein in round 15 secured the win, moving him to 18 votes, with Hay’s Jackson Ferguson (17) and Nullawil’s Daniel Watts (16) unable to claim the lead.
“I knew a few others, including Wattsy and Jacob Shaper (Ultima) were up there, but we were not too good with counting the votes,” Morison said.
Five best-on-ground performances propelled Morison up the leaderboard, with 11 of his votes coming in a five-round window that coincided with Murrabit victories.
Twelve of Ferguson’s votes came in the first half of the season, with the former St Kilda player and Watts – who had 11 votes after eight rounds – looking likely to battle for the title.
Watts moved to 16 votes after 14 rounds, one ahead of Ferguson and Morison, but missed the last two rounds due to injury.
Morison’s round 15 performance against Moulamein gave him the lead for the first time, but he was not in the best three players on the ground in the Blues’ final round loss to Ultima.
Ferguson had the chance to share the medal with Morison if he received the maximum votes in the Lions’ round 16 loss to Macorna, but the utility received two votes to fall one vote short.
Morison is the fourth consecutive recipient who will aim to add a senior premiership medallion to his collection after receiving the league’s top honour – a feat last achieved by Ultima’s Tom Isma in 2014.
“It is good to win this, but hopefully we can win on Saturday so we can all celebrate together,” he said.
It was also the second consecutive season a new player to the competition claimed the GRFL’s top honour, with Morison joining his brother, Dylan, in moving from Pyramid Hill to the Blues – a club the Morison family has strong links to.
“I really enjoyed my time at Pyramid Hill, but it was time to head over here,” he said.
“Both competitions are based on contested play, which I don’t mind.”
Quambatook captain, Gregor Knight received the league’s most valuable player title, whilst Paul Grayling – who will coach the league’s AFL Victoria Community Championship side in 2017 – took out the goalkicking title with 56 goals.
