Several Collie Eagles stars will go up against some of the South West Football League’s fairest and best in this year's Hayward Medal count.
Collie Eagles Football Club president Ash Stewart confirmed Joel Houghton, Corey Griggs, Travis Cleggett and Kyle Shanahan stood a chance at collecting the coveted prize.
“I think they will have reasonable chance, they have played some very good footy and should be great chances,” he said.
“The fact that we finished second on the ladder normally means we gain a few votes so fingers crossed that they will do okay.
“Travis and Kyle are both midfielders, they are both around the footy often and both get a lot of the ball and use it well.
“They would probably be up there in our fairest and best counting and I would think they should be up there in the Hayward.”
I think they will have reasonable chance, they have played some very good footy and should be great chances.
- Ash Stewart, CEFC president
Collie has not brought home a Hayward Medal since 1999, when Mines Rovers player Aaron Marley picked up the award.
Other Collie Hayward Medal winners have included:
- Rod Saunders – Mines Rovers (1975)
- Bill Hayward – Collie (1975)
- Jack Sumich – Mines Rovers (1967)
- Barry Annandale – Mines Rovers (1964)
- George Annandale – Mines Rovers (1960)
- Mayne Coverley – Mines Rovers (1956, 1967, 1958)
Mr Stewart said a win tonight would make for the first Hayward Medal since the Collie Eagles’ formation.
He said issues with the tribunal should not overshadow what the league side has achieved in 2017.
“We might have had a couple of those issues over the year but 99 per cent of the time our players are there to play footy and that’s what we’re about. I think our results probably show that from the year,” he said.
Mr Stewart also admitted he was confident in the boys’ chances against Harvey Bulls in this Sunday’s do-or-die clash at Collie Recreation Ground.
“One week at a time I guess, especially being in eliminations and we can’t afford to lose,” he said.
“We are pretty confident this week and then we’ll get over that one and see how we go next week.”
