BEST OF BEST VIE FOR MEDAL
WHO will take home the Nichols and Gwynne medals – the premier individual awards in the NTFL – on Sunday night?
It’s the question on the end of everyone’s lips and why not?
It has been a brilliant season full of surprises and many a standout performance.
Dominant Darwin Buffaloes ruckman Ben Archard and pacy forward Nick Yarran from St Mary’s both won the NT News player of the year count.
But it’s anyone’s guess who will receive the top gongs considering the number of players with genuine claims to the medal.
There have been some incredible individual performances from NTFL players this year, across the men’s and women’s competitions.
This has been especially from those in struggling teams, like Darwin Buffaloes big man Ben Archard to Palmerston’s Eric Guthrie.
In the Women’s Premier League, Southern Districts first-year captain Bella Clarke, was a force behind the Crocs’ late push for finals.
Also in the mix this year are previous Nichols and Gwynne medal winners: premiership Tiger Brodie Filo, key Eagle Beau O’Connell to Tahs general Lisa Roberts.
However, absences include Wanderers’ elite defender Brodie Newman who, despite his great season, is ineligible after picking up a suspension.
We’ve isolated players from both the men’s and women’s league that are in with a shot of taking the best and fairest.
Jayden Magro (Waratah): In 16 matches this season, Magro was second in the league for goals with 39, including two bags of five, and seven against Palmerston. The premier recruit of the year.
Ben Archard (Darwin Buffaloes):
Joint winner of NT News Player of the Year award, Archard dominated in the ruck this season, finishing with 561 hit-outs – almost 250 clear of the next best (312). Archard was also a contested beast, ranking third in the league for total clearances and fourth for contested possessions.
Eric Guthrie (Palmerston Magpies):
At the top of his game for Palmerston this season, finishing near the top in plenty of statistical categories. A constant standout in spite of his team’s lack of positive results. Despite only playing 14 games, he finished second in clearances and contested possessions.
Brodie Carroll (Waratah): What a season it has been for the Waratah co-captain. The ABC Player of the Year is the season’s premier tackler with 64 tackles to his name and has been dubbed in some circles as a meat magnet.
Nate Paredes (St Mary’s): The Saints skipper had a brilliant first year in charge, leading from the front each and every week, and the stats show it. So often the centre of the Saints’ forward movement, he will be a focal point for his side when they take on Waratah in the Men’s Premier League grand final on Saturday.
Molly Althouse (Darwin Buffettes):
Althouse had another big season in 2021-22 and was a major reason why Darwin qualified for the Women’s Premier League grand final next weekend. Also was named the best on ground in the women’s rep game.
Kylie Duggan (Darwin Buffettes):
The 37-year-old former NT Thunder player, who will also suit up for the Darwin Salties women’s basketball team this season, has been “the glue” for the Buffettes.
Eliza Morrison (Nightcliff Tigers):
The Tigers champ, who has also turned out for VFLW club Western Bulldogs, was one of Nightcliff’s most consistent performers in season 2021-22. Playing primarily on-ball,
Morrison also drifted forward at times to kick the odd six-pointer.
Lisa Roberts (Waratah): The Tahs general will be looking to claim her third Gwynne Medal after wins in 2017-18 and 2019-20. Playing primarily a midfield and defensive sweeper role, the NTFL stalwart only missed two games during the season.
Amy Chittick (PINT): The super consistent Chittick racked up her 150th Premier game this season, a great effort for a player still relatively young at 24 years. The premiershipwinning ruck and forward, who could be relied upon to kick a six-pointer
MORE ONLINE
See the rest of our picks for potential winners of the Nichols or Gwynne Medal at ntnews.com.au