Ahead of the Goulburn Valley League night of nights, let’s take the time to run through some of this year’s potential Morrison Medal winners.
The league has already issued invites to those expected to poll highly in Wednesday night’s event, which will be held at Tatura’s Ballantyne Centre, and there is expected to be a new medallist added to the honour board.
This season we have witnessed some new and old faces push their claims to collect the league’s prestigious senior football best-and-fairest.
Rochester gun Chris Jansen will no doubt poll highly, as will talented Seymour on-baller and recent club best-and-fairest winner Jack Murphy.
Skilful Shepparton Swans on-baller Zac Banch enjoyed a strong campaign with the rebuilding Swans and will have caught the eye of the umpires.
Kyabram duo Zac Keogh and Kaine Herbert led the way for the Bombers and enjoyed sublime seasons — along with talented swingman Lachie Smith.
And expect Echuca midfielder Sam Willoughby, Seymour young gun Ben Rigoni and Mansfield leader Brett Mahoney to end up among the higher end of the leaderboard.
In terms of outsiders, Tatura jet Billy Cooper clinched his club’s best-and-fairest recently, while Benalla star Chris Welsh could have his GVL Data points translate into umpire votes.
Mooroopna forward and leading goal-kicker Chris Nield may surprise and classy Echuca mover Andrew Walker is expected to poll well.
The News team has had a crack at the stumps with its own predictions for this year’s Morrison Medal.
Shepparton News Morrison Medal predictions
Zac Standish (sports reporter)
1. Zac Keogh (Kyabram)
2. Jack Murphy (Seymour)
3. BJ Squire (Shepp Swans)
Roughie: Ben Rigoni (Seymour)
Daniel Webb (sports reporter)
1. Zac Banch (Shepp Swans)
2. Chris Welsh (Benalla)
3. Chris Nield (Mooroopna)
Roughie: Ted Lindon (Shepparton)
James Kleeman (sports reporter)
1. Chris Jansen (Rochester)
2. Jack Murphy (Seymour)
3. Andrew Walker (Echuca)
Roughie: Chris Welsh (Benalla)
Aydin Payne (sports editor)
1. Jack Murphy (Seymour)
2. Zac Banch (Shepp Swans)
3. Chris Nield (Mooroopna)
Roughie: Kaine Herbert (Kyabram)
Tyler Maher (News editor)
1. Jack Murphy (Seymour)
2. Chris Jansen (Rochester)
3. Lachie Smith (Kyabram)
Roughie: Billy Cooper (Tatura)
Ron Anderson (sports sub-editor)
1. Andrew Walker (Echuca)
2. Ben Giobbi (Euroa)
3. Shaun Atley (Rochester)
Roughie: Keelin Betson