Toy backing Buffs star
TIWI Bombers coach Brenton Toy has backed Darwin Buffaloes midfielder Jarrod Stokes to win this season’s Nichols Medal at SkyCity Casino tonight.
The 23-year-old would become the first Buffalo to win the medal since 2003 when Ben AhMat took the Nichols home with him if Toy’s logic is the correct one.
“If any of our Tiwi players are going to poll well it will be Dion Munkara, but he’s got no chance because of suspension,’’ Toy said.
“Ross Tungatalum was a standout in a few games so he will poll some votes, but it might be one of those years when the players take a bit off each other, where Jack Munkara get votes one week, Gary Puruntatameri the next, Jason Puruntatameri and so on. I’d really like to see Jarrod Stokes win the Nichols, I think he has been a terrific performer all year for Buffs and a real catalyst for their success in finishing third this year.
“Whenever we’ve played them Jarrod has always caused us headaches with his leg speed and ball use and I’m sure the umpires will have noticed that.’’
Toy said the “usual’’ sus- pects will be around the mark, including Nightcliff recruit and former St Mary’s star Cameron Ilett.
“Everyone knows his name and the umpires do too, so he might poll a few votes, along with Waratah’s Sam Weddell, who I reckon was OK and a bit of an accumulator in terms of possessions,” Toy said.
“But the games we played against Tahs, Sam was never a damaging player in terms of hurting us on the scoreboard or with strong rebound footy. He was consistent all year, but I’m not sure he was the best player in the competition.’’
Toy pointed to big Darwin forward Darren Shillabeer as a serious chance because of the Buffaloes’ high win ratio when he played for them.
“No doubt he’ll poll votes in the games Buffs won, plus he is a big unit who kicks goals and stands out on the footy field,’’ he added. “But Buffs are another team that will take votes off each other, Jarrod Stokes as I mentioned and Adam Sambono will grab their share.’’
Southern Districts and St Mary’s will be similar in the vote sharing according to Toy, with Ed Barlow, Dylan Barry and Will Farrer in the mix at Districts and Saints duo Nathaniel Paredes and Ryan Smith among the votes.