Kyabram District League McNamara Medal sees a three-way tie — but it could’ve been four

By Liam Nash

Sep 23, 2024

Nagambie's Rielly Old, Blake Fothergill (absent) and Murchison-Toolamba’s James Milne each tied for the McNamara Medal with 22 votes apiece. Photo by Liam Nash

If the 2024 McNamara Medal race wasn’t crazy enough already, it almost had another mad twist.

While Nagambie duo Blake Fothergill and Rielly Old split the spoils with Murchison-Toolamba’s James Milne, the prize could’ve gone four ways.

Shepparton East ruck beast Tom McCluskey also received 22 votes — the winning tally on the night — but was rubbed out for a suspension, deeming him ineligible for the Kyabram District League’s highest individual football honour.

An audible gasp rose from the crowd watching on at Shepparton’s GV Hotel when the final count was announced, making for a truly unforgettable moment in the league’s annals.

If not for suspension, Shepparton East's Tom McCluskey would’ve been the fourth recipient of the 2024 McNamara Medal. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

But what did it mean to the winners?

Old had onlookers in stitches when asked by master of ceremonies Sam Saracino as to what he thought of his season performance, and whether he thought he was a chance of leaving with the medal around his neck.

“I just came for the free feed,” he said with a sheepish grin.

Rest assured, Old left the venue with more than just a full belly.

Fothergill wasn’t present on the night but had plenty of praise sent his way during the presentation, while Milne, a star captain of the Hoppers, was rapt to have picked up the prize in a stacked Murchison-Toolamba team.

Though he wasn’t in attendance on presentation night, Blake Fothergill had a good haul with a joint McNamara Medal win and a spot in the team of the year. Photo by Aydin Payne

“It’s a credit to the umpires and take that as you will, but to pick three votes in our team week in, week out is phenomenal,” he said.

“James Lloyd, I think he kicked 10 plus goals in nearly nine games for the year — how can you go past that for three votes?

“I know someone has got to get it to him but someone has also got to get it to me out of the ruck. Unreal.”

It was one heck of a week for Milne after winning the KDL senior flag the Saturday prior by order of a 13.13 (91) to 6.8 (44) victory over Shepparton East.

Following heartbreak in the 2022 grand final and a semi-final exit in 2023, Milne placed the triumph high among his list of achievements on a footy field.

“The loss in ’22, a lot of us walked back into the clubrooms, looked at each other and said ‘that’s not over, we’re coming back again’,” he said.

“We were probably a bit cocky last year and let it slip, so this year to grab it with both hands and take it, we’re very happy with that.

“I was only just texting with a mate earlier today comparing the 2010 thirds flag, the 2013 senior one — this one, this year is absolutely amazing.

“It’s something I’ll cherish forever, to be captain of my home, my loved club that I’ve grown up wanting to be a Grasshopper forever.

“To win that flag this year means a hell of a lot, I’m super stoked.”

Lastly, Milne signed off with words of thanks to the club he serves so fiercely.

“I’d like to thank the club, the sponsors and Brett (Foley) the coach, he’s done a phenomenal job this year — he really got the best out of the team and myself,” he said.