By Will Hunter
On Friday night the Flack Medal will be awarded to fairest and best player in the Division 3 Senior competition. But who will it be? Let's take a look at the leading contenders...
JARROD WILKIN (Mount Waverley)
2016 Games: 20
2016 Goals: 13
The reigning Flack Medallist enjoyed another super season for Mount Waverley as the club surged to a drought-breaking premiership without a blemish to their record. Wilkin spent more time in the ruck in 2016, where his athleticism and consistency has made him one of the competition’s absolute standouts and ensured he is always in the umpire’s sights. A four-time league Best & Fairest winner and one of Division 3’s all-time greats, Wilkin is a proven vote-getter and will no doubt again feature prominently in this year’s voting.
JACKSON SMITH (Mount Waverley)
2016 Games: 19
2016 Goals: 17
Smith has been a revelation for the Mountain Lions in 2016. Young, tall and exceptionally quick, the rangy wingman proved to be a prolific ball winner and a key factor in the team’s rise to the premiership. The 17-year-old stood out with his sheer pace and willingness to take the game on, and also became the first ever Division 3 player selected in the SFNL interleague team. An excitement machine and rarely missing from his team’s best each week, expect him to also poll well.
CORRIE WILSON (Doveton Eagles)
2016 Games: 20
2016 Goals: 31
A fine season from the Doveton Eagles playing coach has been central to his team’s rise up the ladder after a disappointing 2015. A dangerous midfielder with great skills, Wilson has the ability to swing a game in the Eagles’ favour in mere minutes. His goalkicking ability will no doubt have caught the attention of the umpires, particularly his eight-goal haul against Dandenong in Round 17, and he finished with 28 goals from his 17 home and away games. Rarely wastes a disposal and is always in the thick of the action.
DALE CARROLL (Ashwood)
2016 Games: 21
2016 Goals: 58
The Ashwood co-captain’s versatility around the ground has been a tremendous asset for the Magpies as they rose to a Grand Final appearance this season, but it has been Carroll’s performances in attack that have been most noteworthy. The big fella booted 58 goals for the year, including nine bags of four or more and at times looked simply unstoppable. He should poll minor votes in most of these games, with a couple of best on grounds thrown in, but will it be enough to take home the Flack Medal?
MANNY PERESSO (Hallam)
2016 Games: 20
2016 Goals: 10
Undoubtedly Hallam’s best player this year as they earned a maiden Division 3 Senior finals berth. A phenomenal athlete and a prolific ball-winner, Peresso has been a vital cog in the Hawks’ engine room. He is not only a great user of the ball, but is also super-consistent and has been among his side’s best players week in, week out. Only question is whether or not the fifth-placed Hawks won enough games for him to secure some valuable best on ground votes.
