TROY WINS SFL GONG

GRAND final preparations for Lindisfarne have been given a timely boost, with star midfielder Troy Cunliffe awarded a second consecutive William Leitch Medal on Monday night at KGV.

The medal, named after former player and Tasmanian football administrator William Douglas Leitch, is awarded to the best and fairest player of the SFL season, with Cunliffe topping the voting tally for a second year running with 29 votes from 18 games.

Cunliffe, who won the award for the first time last year, beat Huonville’s Michael Paul (24 votes) and New Norfolk duo Mark Horne and Nathan Ross (20 votes each) for the SFL’s top honour.

“It’s good to be consistent and to be recognised as a consistent player two years in a row,” Cunliffe said.

The 25-year-old’s attention has swiftly turned to the upcoming premiership decider against New Norfolk.

“We did beat New Norfolk in the first final but they beat us well earlier in the year. We have nothing to lose — what will be, will be,” he said.

After winning every game of the 2016 season before falling to Claremont in last year’s grand final, Cunliffe is confident his side is better prepared 12 months on.

“We know what’s happening in grand final week now. Last year was a lot of the guys’ first grand final, but we now know what is ahead and are just excited to be involved,” Cunliffe said.

In other awards, New Norfolk’s Adam Whitford won the George Watt Medal for the reserves, Hobart’s Lachlan Plummer took out the Lipscombe Medal for best player in the Colts and Will Perry, of Hobart, was recognised as coach of the year. William Leitch Medal top five: Troy Cunliffe (Lindisfarne) 29 votes; Michael Paul (Huonville) 24 votes; Mark Horne (New Norfolk), Nathan Ross (New Norfolk) 20 votes; Brayden Hayes (Cygnet) 17 votes; Jacob Wigg (New Norfolk) 13 votes. Anthony Osborn is a UTas journalism student.