Grand final-bound: Shepparton’s 2018 premiership players Harry Boyd and Nik Rokahr will line up for Norwood in the SANFL grand final on Sunday.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
The SANFL grand final will have a distinct Shepparton flavour in 2022, with Bears premiership stars Nik Rokahr and Harry Boyd set to line up for Norwood as it battles old rival North Adelaide for premiership glory.
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The Redlegs booked their ticket into the decider with a thrilling 11-point upset win over Adelaide reserves in last Sunday’s preliminary final, giving themselves an opportunity to win their first premiership since 2014.
And at the forefront of the triumph was Rokahr, who after finishing second in the Magarey Medal earlier in the week, showed why he is one of the premier players in the competition by racking up 30 disposals, 11 tackles and six clearances in a best-on-ground performance.
Boyd was also pivotal to the victory, battling valiantly against star Crows big man Kieran Strachan in the ruck to finish with 11 disposals, five marks, six tackles and two clearances.
A premiership would cap a standout year for the Shepparton duo, which was selected in the SANFL Team of the Year and represented South Australia in its win over Western Australia in a showcase match in May.
Sticking with the state leagues and Goulburn Valley exports Will Hayes (Euroa), Marty Hore (Echuca) and Tom Downie (Benalla) were rewarded for outstanding VFL seasons — being selected in the 2022 Team of the Year.
Standout season: Benalla’s Tom Downie was rewarded for an excellent VFL campaign by being named in the Team of the Year.
Photo by
Brenden Paddock
Hayes, who after a scintillating start to his campaign with Carlton’s reserves, was selected by the Blues in the mid-season draft and made two appearances at AFL level before being delisted again.
But in his 13 VFL matches averaged an imposing 28.8 disposals a game, earning him a position on the bench in the Team of the Year.
Plying his trade for North Melbourne’s reserves, Hore was named in the back pocket after averaging 26.3 disposals and 7.6 marks from his 17 appearances.
While Downie was one of the premier ruckmen in the VFL, averaging 33.9 hit-outs, 16.5 disposals and five marks a game for Williamstown to also secure a spot on the bench.
In the AFL, a host of Goulburn Valley products took to the field for the second weekend of the finals series.
Euroa’s Jamie Elliott and Congupna’s Steele Sidebottom were the only two players to find themselves on a winning team, playing key roles in Collingwood’s 20-point semi-final victory over Fremantle on Saturday night.
A livewire up forward, Elliott booted two crucial goals and laid a team-high seven tackles, while Sidebottom was as consistent as ever on the wing, racking up 19 disposals and using the ball at an impeccable 90 per cent efficiency.
After an illustrious 376-game career, Seymour’s David Mundy said an emotional goodbye after the Fremantle loss.
End of a journey: The illustrious AFL career of Seymour's David Mundy came to an end on Saturday night in Fremantle's semi-final loss to Collingwood. Photo: AAP/James Ross
Mundy was at his silky best until the very end, picking up 18 disposals at 89 per cent, and kicking a running goal from beyond the 50m arc in what was a fitting farewell.
The breakout campaign of Shepparton’s Will Brodie also came to an end, with the inside midfielder one of the Dockers’ best after racking up 17 disposals and laying 11 tackles.
While Moama’s Lachie Schultz was also prominent in the loss, kicking two goals and recording 15 disposals.
And on Friday night, Mooroopna’s Clayton Oliver was unable to lift Melbourne to victory, as the reigning premier fell to Brisbane by 13 points.
Down on his usual output, the on-baller finished the night with 21 disposals, but laid 12 tackles in what was a physical encounter at the MCG.
