Tall defender James Wall polled in 14 games to win the Gardner-Clark Medal last Friday night.By Marc McGowan
JAMES Wall won the Gardner-Clark Medal as the Casey Scorpions’ 2008 best-and-fairest player last Friday night to cap a magnificent individual season.
The 198cm defender was a key figure in the Scorpions’ run to the second week of the VFL finals, while also earning state selection and a spot in the competition’s team of the year.
Wall, 21, stormed home in the count, polling in Casey’s last six games, including both finals, to finish on 88 votes.
He grabbed the lead for the first time after the final home-and-away round and held off midfielder Shane Birss, who played in only two of the Scorpions’ last six matches, by six votes.
Ruckman Michael Rix, who led after 17 rounds, was third on 70 votes after playing more up forward and down back at the end of the season.
St Kilda-listed players filled nine of the top 11 positions in the count.
Full-back Alex Silvagni, who officials named as the club’s most consistent performer, was the next highest ranked Casey player in fifth place.
Five-time Gardner-Clark Medallist Steve Harrison presented backman Evan Panozza with the inaugural Steve Harrison rising star award.
Nominees had to be under the age of 21 on 1 January and had to have played 10 games or less before the start of the season.
Scott MacLeod claimed the most-improved player award and Peter Mercoulia romped the reserves’ best-and-fairest in for the second straight year.
But the night belonged to Wall, who called 2008 his best season, and he was delighted to receive the honour.
“It’s super. I’ve really enjoyed the night and really enjoyed the season, so it was a good way to finish the year,” the former Calder Cannon said moments after accepting the award.
“It was a good team year and getting individual honours like this is really enjoyable.”
Wall spent the previous two seasons on St Kilda’s and the Sydney Swans’ rookie lists respectively and felt he had less pressure on him this season.
“I had no expectations and I spoke with Hutchy (Scorpions coach Greg Hutchison) earlier on in the year and he had a lot of faith in me from the word go,” he said. “It’d be great to get back into the AFL, and I wish I could, but I don’t bank on it.
“I’m not waiting on my name being called out so I can get back on a list or anything like that.
“I’ve been delisted twice, so I know how much it hurts to miss out as well.”
Wall trained with Collingwood at the end of last season, but his chance was ruined when he contracted glandular fever.
No AFL clubs have contacted Wall at this stage, but he will nominate for the draft.
Hutchison, whose coaching future at Casey Fields could be decided this week, said Wall was a deserving winner.
“I thought he had an outstanding year. He often got the best forward from the opposition and did a really good job,” he said. “The best-and-fairest was a just reward for his season.”
Hutchison praised Birss’ weekly preparation and said Rix was “a terrific man to have around a footy club”.
Other winners on the night were James Taylor (senior trademark award), Chris Dunne (goalkicking), James Terry (reserves trademark award), Ben Waite (captain’s award) and Rebecca Loring (best club person).
