EAGLE’S PECK OF COACHING BUNCH
NEWTOWN & Chilwell star Matt McMahon, pictured, is the favourite to claim back-to-back Mathieson Medals tonight.
McMahon, who broke through to claim his first GFL senior best-and-fairest last season after a host of placings, is widely tipped to salute again in the count at Buckley’s Entertainment Centre.
In a poll of the league’s senior coaches, McMahon came out on top with three votes.
Grovedale coach Simon Riddoch, St Albans mentor Jarrod Best and McMahon’s coach Damien McMahon believe the ball-magnet will produce the goods.
Leopold gun Marcus Thompson and Bell Park jet Todd Stevenson are also backed to poll strongly, earning two votes apiece, while St Joseph’s Brant Haintz, Lion Jai Thompson, Grovedale’s Nathan Deans and St Mary’s Aiden Grace will be at the pointy end of the leaderboard.
Lion and former Geelong ruckman Trent West will also feature prominently, according to a host of coaches.
McMahon was a key part of the Eagles’ resurgence in the second half of the season, when his side went on a giantkilling run only to just miss finals. Marcus Thompson (Leopold) (Leopold) Ryan Monaghan (Colac) Trent West Todd Stevenson (Bell Park) Brant Haintz (St Joseph’s) Jarryd Garner (St Mary’s) Brant Haintz (St Joseph’s) Marcus Thompson (Leopold) Jonty Broughton (South Barwon) Aiden Grace (St Mary’s) Ethan Baker (South Barwon) Lochie Veale (Colac) Nathan Deans (Grovedale) Trent West (Leopold) Lochie Veale (Colac)
Matt McMahon (N&C) and Marcus Thompson (Leopold) Todd Stevenson (Bell Park)
Trent West (Leopold) Todd Stevenson (Bell Park) (Leopold)
Aiden Grace (St Mary’s) Matt McMahon (N&C) Marcus Thompson (Leopold) Nathan Deans (Grovedale) Trent West (Leopold) Matt McMahon (N&C) Trent West
Runner-up: Smoky: GLENN KEAST (ST MARY’S) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky: HEATH JAMIESON (ST JOSEPH’S) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky: DAVID FARRELL (SOUTH BARWON) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky: KANE LEERSEN (COLAC) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky: DAMIEN McMAHON (NEWTOWN & CHILWELL) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky: Runner-up: Smoky: SIMON RIDDOCH (GROVEDALE) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky: SAM DARLEY (NORTH SHORE) Tip: Runner-up: Smoky:
Tom Ruggles (Leopold)
GREG MELLOR (GEELONG WEST) Tip: Runner-up:
Jai Thompson (Leopold) Todd Stevenson (Bell Park)
Trent West (Leopold)
Smoky: JARROD BEST (ST ALBANS) Tip:
Matt McMahon (Newtown & Chilwell) Marcus Thompson (Leopold)
Smoky: TONY ARMSTRONG (LARA)
Armstrong could not be contacted during the week.
TOTALS:
Matt McMahon 3; Marcus Thompson, Todd Stevenson 2; Brant Haintz; Jai Thompson; Nathan Deans; Aiden Grace; Trent West 1