Sport
Shepparton’s Harry Boyd wins Jack Oatey Medal in Norwood’s thrilling SANFL grand final victory
Shepparton’s 2018 flag heroes Harry Boyd and Nik Rokahr can now add SANFL premiership player to their expanding football resumes, with the pair playing key roles in Norwood’s stunning one-point grand final win over North Adelaide on Sunday.
One of the most dramatic deciders in SANFL history, Norwood would come back from 17 points down in the last quarter, with an incredible snap by veteran on-baller Matthew Panos in the dying seconds sealing the incredible victory.
But in terms of influence on the game, there was no Redleg more important than Boyd, with the Shepparton-bred ruckman producing a performance for the ages to win the Jack Oatey Medal for best-on-ground.
Battling former Port Adelaide-listed big man Mitch Harvey, Boyd registered an astonishing 64 hit-outs, 20 disposals, seven marks (three contested) and three clearances to be voted a clear best afield.
He also provided the hit-out that paved the way for Panos to kick the winning goal.
Speaking post-game, Boyd said he was surprised to come away with the honour.
“It (winning the medal) just didn’t come into my mind to be honest,” Boyd said.
“I thought Matt Panos played really well, Nik Rokahr worked hard all day, so I didn’t really think I was a chance to be honest and it was a great surprise when it did happen.”
Fellow Goulburn Valley product Rokahr was also prominent for the Redlegs, battling through a serious foot injury to be pivotal in the victory.
A constant presence around the stoppages, the 27-year-old finished with an equal game-high 25 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances as he continued to prove his worth as one of the best players in the competition.
The match was truly reminiscent of that fateful day at Deakin Reserve in 2018, with the two Shepparton boys once again combining to play key hands in producing a stunning grand final upset.
Capping a wonderful season for the pair, which included appearances in the SANFL Team of the Year and South Australian representative side, Boyd put his success down to being resilient.
“To be able to finish up with a grand final win, it really does put the exclamation mark on a fantastic season,” he said.
“It hasn’t been without its challenges, a really tough part of my life came in February when my father had a very serious car accident and I had thoughts of what do I do with my life.
“That’s another part of why we show resilience with the put outside of us really leading the way.”