Lion roars to Leitch Medal

HUONVILLE’S big week has continued with Lion Jarrod Lawler winning a thrilling count to be crowned the 2018 SFL William Leitch Medallist.

The Lions have come from third to make Saturday’s grand final against Lindisfarne, and Lawler continued the good vibes in a stunning win at the SFL’s best and fairest count.

Going into the final round, Lawler was on 20 votes, level with Claremont’s Martyn Allison and one vote ahead of New Norfolk’s Mark Horne.

In round 18, the last home and away fixture, midfielder Lawler received three votes in Huonville’s three-point win over Dodges Ferry at Shark Park to move to 23 votes.

Despite kicking five goals, Allison failed to register a vote in the Magpies’ 157-point belting of Brighton.

Horne, in a three-goal loss to Cygnet, was given the three votes to move past Allison and fall one short of Lawler.

Lawler is just the second Lion to win the award, James Lange’ winning in 2010.

Allison finished in a tie for third with the fast finishing Luke Sullivan (Hobart), who polled two votes in the last round to also finish on 20.

Lindisfarne’s Shawn Clark won the George Watt Medal as the reserves best and fairest, and the Lipscombe Medal for the colts best and fairest was won by Joshua Coad from the Southern Storm. Lindisfarne’s Janita Mather was the SFLW best and fairest.