The most prestigious individual award in South Australian football will be presented at Monday night’s 2014 Magarey Medal count.

The Magarey Medal has been awarded since 1898 to recognise the SANFL’s best and fairest player of the premiership season.

Some of the biggest names in the sport have won the accolade, including the likes of Barrie Robran, Garry McIntosh and Robert Quinn. A number of former Crows also have a Magarey tucked away in the trophy cabinet, such as Andrew Jarman, Scott Hodges and Greg Anderson.

Dual Crows premiership coach Malcolm Blight was another who won the award in 1972. Blight went on to add a Brownlow and Coleman Medal alongside his Magarey triumph in one of the most decorated careers in the history of football.

More recently, Adelaide’s own Brad Symes took out the award in 2012 during his final season as a Crows-listed player.

Current Crow Mitch Grigg was a top-three finisher in last year’s polling while playing for Norwood.

Several Crows could be in the hunt once again at the SANFL’s night of nights.

The 2014 Magarey Medal count will be streamed live on www.sanfl.com.au and afc.com.au. The official count begins at 8.55pm.

 


Matt Crouch

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It is sometimes easy to forget Matt Crouch is barely 19-years-old, such is the toughness and maturity of the young Crow midfielder.

Crouch did not make his first SANFL appearance until almost the midpoint of the season, but then racked up 10 games with Adelaide’s state league side before finishing the year alongside brother Brad in the seniors.

The emerging midfielder was the competition’s most prolific ball-winner with an average of 33 possessions and eight clearances per game, making it tough for umpres not to notice his presence.

Crouch should earn two best-on-grounds from Adelaide’s Round Nine win over Woodville-West Torrens and the Club’s Round 11 victory at Prospect to kick off his Magarey charge.

Despite a loss, Crouch’s season-high 42-possesssions in the wet at West Adelaide in Round 12 could attract three votes, with the youngster also in the mix from his second visit to Woodville Oval in Round 15.

Crouch’s chances could lie with Adelaide’s final two games against Sturt and Norwood. The SANFL Crows lost on both occasions.

If ‘Junior’ can snatch a few minor votes along the way, a fast-finishing Crouch could take home the Magarey in his first season as a Crow.


Ian Callinan

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Callinan has led from the front in 2014 as Adelaide’s inaugural SANFL captain.

He missed just two games this year and has been one of the Crows’ most consistent performers, which could pay dividends when the votes are read.

The four-time SANFL premiership player was also Adelaide’s leading goalkicker in the Club’s maiden season in the local competition. Incredibly, Callinan kicked a goal in all but one match this season.

Callinan will battle teammates to snare votes from the Crows’ first-ever SANFL victory in Round Three over former club Central District.

A four-goal performance against Norwood in Round Seven could offer an opportunity, although the three votes look unlikely given Redleg Michael Newton kicked eight of his own.

Another chance could be in Adelaide’s Round Nine win over the Eagles in which the 31-year-old kicked three majors and collected 25 possessions.

Eye-catching performances in wins over North Adelaide and South Adelaide in the second-half of the year should attract attention, while the umpires could also look to Callinan in Round 16 when he gathered 27 touches and kicked two goals – including the sealer - against Glenelg at the Bay.

The veteran could be an outside chance to pinch a vote in Adelaide’s Round 17 loss to the Double Blues.


Jarryd Lyons

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Like Matt Crouch, Lyons missed a chunk of the SANFL season as the 22-year-old pushed for AFL selection. But his performances at state league level could still reap rewards if the numbers fall his way.

Lyons has all the ingredients to emerge a Magarey Medal winner. He is a huge ball-winner, he kicks goals, he takes pack marks, and wins his own ball in close under the umpires’ nose.

The strong midfielder is also a proven vote-getter after he topped the polling for Glenelg last season.

Two goals and 26 possessions could see Lyons begin his Magarey charge with three votes in Adelaide’s historic Round Three win at Elizabeth Oval.

Lyons also booted a pair of goals and won plenty of the ball in Adelaide’s wins over South Adelaide (Round 13) and Woodville-West Torrens (Round 15).

Three goals and 34 touches at The Parade in Round Seven could see Lyons snare a vote or two.

Gallant performances in losses against Port Adelaide in Clare and under lights at West Adelaide could also get the nod from the umpires.

Lyons’ best often came when the Crows were against the ropes this season, which may hurt him when the final votes are tallied, but he remains an outside chance to take out the title.

 

Other Crows to feature:

Look for Cam Ellis-Yolmen to win his fair share of votes after an outstanding season. The dynamic midfielder averaged 23 possessions and six clearances a game from 16 state league appearances.

First-year player Riley Knight could also be rewarded after an impressive debut season at league level. Knight played all 18 games with an average of 18 disposals per match and was influential in many of Adelaide’s wins this season.