Siggins makes history with third Lynch Medal

Photo: Solstice Digital

Lauderdale’s Sam Siggins has been rewarded for his outstanding season, claiming his third Alastair Lynch Medal as the Tasmanian State League’s best and fairest player.

The Southern Bombers superstar becomes just the second player to win the TSL’s top individual honour three times, joining Glenorchy great Jaye Bowden.

Siggins was one of several players recognised at tonight’s Alastair Lynch Medal and State League Awards Night, with the presentations of the 2023 Rodney Eade Medal, Matthew Richardson Medal, Peter Hudson Medal, TSL Development League Leading Goalkicker Award, STJFL Robert Beakley Medal and TSL Life Memberships.

ALASTAIR LYNCH MEDAL – SAM SIGGINS (LAUDERDALE)

Sam Siggins has further franked his standing as one of Tasmanian football’s modern greats, claiming a third Alastair Lynch Medal as the TSL’s best and fairest player.

Siggins finished with 23 votes, five clear of North Launceston’s Ben Simpson and six ahead of Clarence’s Baxter Norton to add to his 2020 and 2022 Lynch Medals.

The Cripps Player of the Year delivered five best afield performances, including in each of his final three games to storm to victory after having just five votes after seven rounds.

Simpson and Norton were consistent throughout the season, as were Kieran Lovell and Brad Cox-Goodyer who rounded out the top six.

RODNEY EADE MEDAL – JOSH RICKARD (NORTH LAUNCESTON)

North Launceston’s Josh Rickard has claimed the 2023 Rodney Eade Medal, polling 14 votes to finish two clear of Lauderdale veteran Haydn Smith and three clear of teammate Oscar Harper.

The Eade Medal, like the Lynch, is voted on by the umpires, and is awarded to the best and fairest player in the Development League.

Having played just eight Development League games, in between appearances for North Launceston’s senior side, Rickard made the most of his season, polling in six matches, including three best on grounds.

MATTHEW RICHARDSON MEDAL – BLAKE WAIGHT (GLENORCHY)

Blake Waight backed up a strong 2022 debut season with an exceptional 2023 campaign to be named the Matthew Richardson Medallist as the competition’s best young player.

Waight’s second season in the competition saw him take on the vice-captain role with the Magpies and his outstanding intercept marking and game sense saw him emerge as one of the league’s best defenders, as highlighted by his selection in the Team of the Year.

Waight averaged 19.5 disposals, 2.8 intercept marks, 4.2 rebound 50s, one contested mark and 86.7 Premier Data Ranking Points per game.

The Richardson Medal is decided upon by TSL Management following the conclusion of the home and away season.

Criteria to be eligible for the Rookie of the Year medal heading into the season:

• Played less than 20 Senior Games of TSL Football heading into the season.
• Be Under 23 years age
• Have had no more than 2 years on a Senior List

TSL LIFE MEMBERS

TSL Life Membership was awarded to the following individuals, with all four having reached the 200-game TSL milestone.

• Josh Arnold – Player / Coach (Glenorchy)
• Mark Tuckett – Umpire (TFUA)
• Jack Avent – Player (North Launceston)
• Alex Lee – Player (North Launceston)

PETER HUDSON MEDAL – BRAD COX-GOODYER (NORTH LAUNCESTON)

North Launceston’s Brad Cox-Goodyer has done it all across his TSL career, including clinching his first Peter Hudson Medal as the competition’s Leading Goalkicker in 2023.

The Northern Bombers’ coach kicked a goal in every game he played across the home and away season, including multiple goals in all but two outings.

Cox-Goodyer kicked two bags of six (rounds 12 and 13), two bags of five (rounds eight and 10) and three bags of four (rounds six, 20 and 21) to underline his consistency.

TSL DEV LEAGUE LEADING GOALKICKER – MATTHEW YATES (NORTH HOBART)

North Hobart’s Matthew Yates has claimed his first leading goalkicker award in his fifth season with the Demons, with his 42-goal campaign leaving him five majors ahead of Kingborough’s Joshua Pride.

Yates was a model of consistency across 2023, kicking at least one goal in all but one of his Development League appearances through the home and away season. A bag of seven majors against Launceston in round 20 saw him move clear in the lead, and that was one of nine games where he booted three or more goals to stamp his authority on the competition.

ROBERT BEAKLEY MEDAL (STJFL U18s Best and Fairest) – REILEY BANKS (LAUDERDALE)

Lauderdale’s Reiley Banks has claimed the 2023 Robert Beakley Medal as the STJFL U18s’ Best and Fairest player, pipping Kingborough’s Patrick Harnwell in a tight count.

Banks finished the season with 22 votes, just two clear of Harnwell, with the pair well clear of Lauderdale’s Winston Forrest (12 votes) in third place.

Banks had a five-vote gap over Harnwell after round seven and was just one vote clear after round 14.

Banks, who had the bye in round 21, pulled to three votes clear after his final game, with Harnwell polling one vote in the final round to ensure Banks’ clinched the U18 Boys’ top gong.