Defender Best could be ace in the pack

WHILE the GDFL community holds its breath to see whether Inverleigh recruit Jak KennedyHunt makes his long-awaited return, another Hawk continues to fly under the radar.

Inverleigh defender Michael Best has taken the competition by storm in 2017.

After crossing over from the Eastern Football League, the former Rowville Hawk made an instant impact to be selected in the GDFL interleague side in May.

And such was the 21-year- old’s influence that he was awarded the Daryl Jones Medal as the Raiders’ best player in the four-point victory over North Central.

It was by this stage of the season his trademark runs off half back were recognised by opposing coaches and league officials.

His cheeky fetch tactic, where he handballs over his opponent and then beats him to the ball, is testament to the agility he showcased on the tennis courts as a junior.

Before switching to footy, Best was a talent with the racquet in hand, once ranked the fourth-highest Victorian junior — and 15th nationally.

He then made the Australian Merit team in 2012 and was vice-captain of the Victorian under-19 side while playing the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

“Those first three steps are crucial in both sports and agility is something we pride ourselves on during high pressure games,” Best said earlier this year.

Last week, Best was one of four Hawks named in the GDFL team of the year and polled 12 Whitley Medal votes, finishing equal 11th with teammate Dalton Grundell.

The selection then stirred him to defy his critics three days later when he collected 26 disposals in his side’s narrow defeat to Bell Post Hill.

“Best was devastating all day, a stellar performance from start to finish with three goals so he was clearly our best player,” Inverleigh coach Mark McDowell said.

After three unsuccessful attempts on preliminary final day, Inverleigh should be able to enter tomorrow’s game as the narrow favourite with Best in such hot form.