As we near the end of the 2014 season we once again turn our attention to the biggest night on the EFL Calender. Chandler medal night recognises the efforts of not only the players but celebrates the season. In 2014 Chandler Medal night will be held on Monday September 15 once again at 1330 Function Centre, including as part of the build-up to the Division 1 ‘Choose Tap’ Grand Final Over the next four weeks EFL Media Team Member Blake Gray will be looking at the contenders across all four senior Divisions.
Blake Gray @blake_gray14
THIS WEEK: Division 3 – Paul Edie Medal
As Division 3 shapes up to be one of the most competitive in the race for a finals berth, we review the players that may have captured the umpire’s eye this season.
Third in last year’s votes, Trevor Mills has been named in the best on six occasions for The Basin in 2014 despite missing five games. Mills has also improved in front of goals, already kicking three more goals than last year with 21 to date and this should help his chances. 2012 Division 4 best and fairest winner Max Kruger is another from The Basin who tends to poll well and although he hasn’t hurt oppositions on the scoreboard as much this season, he has still been a key player for the Bears.
After winning his fourth Division 3 best and fairest award in 2013, Dean Grice will again come into consideration in 2014. Although he hasn’t been able to impact the scoreboard as much as last year, Grice has again been a key part of Boronia’s winning form and although he may not finish with the staggering 32 votes that he did last year, he will certainly attend the division’s night of nights.
Cody Morris was the division’s leading goal-kicker with 49 goals from 11 matches for South Belgrave, although hasn’t played since June and has since been overtaken. The transfer from Rowville this season has seen him flourish, and Morris would expect to take home the three votes for his seven, eight and eleven goal hauls this season. Morris finished with 69 goals in 2013, but was surprisingly not awarded a single vote by the umpires.
Three-time best and fairest winner with Wantirna South, Brad Hutchinson, has had yet another consistent season and has been named in his sides best three players on a staggering eight occasions. Hutchinson’s consistent season has proved important for the ladder-leading Devils as they approach finals.
Alongside his two brothers at Templestowe, Jamie Bain has really impressed in season 2014. The goal-kicking midfielder has averaged over a goal a game and should capture the umpire’s eye. His biggest competition is Anthony Mariani, another brother at Templestowe. Mariani leads Templestowe’s goal kicking with 25 and his intensity at the footy should see him a regular amongst the votes. His brother, Matthew Mariani, is also a contender and it will be interesting to see if one stands out more than the other.
Making a move to the Redbacks has been a blessing for young Mitchell Brereton. After struggling with consistency over the past two seasons at Bayswater, Brereton has relished at his new club, kicking 32 goals from half forward. His form over the past month has plateaued alongside that of the club, and will hope his early season form is enough to get him over the line.
Although Mitcham boast the goal kicking prowess of Hoegel (56 goals), Pignataro (48 goals) and Pimm (42 goals), Robert Petracca has been the star of Mitcham’s midfield. It helps that his sides won 13 games and sits second on the ladder, but Petracca’s attack on the footy and ability to win the contested ball should see him poll well with the umpires.