Sandover Medallist Selects Star Bulldog To Shine

WA football great Steve Malaxos has declared South Fremantle midfielder Matthew Parker will win next Monday’s Sandover Medal at Crown.

Parker has been a standout performer for the Bulldogs this year, averaging 23 disposals a game and kicking 15 goals.

Malaxos, a Sandover Medallist in 1984 and current expert with radio station SEN, believes South Fremantle’s superb season will work in Parker’s favour.

“The Bulldogs will have plenty of games where their players will get the top votes and all of the votes available on that day.,” Malaxos said.

“I have Parker as being the recipient of many of those.”

Malaxos has Parker winning from East Fremantle’s Milan Murdock and Perth’s Brandan Parfitt.

In a poll of local media identities, Malaxos wasn’t the only WAFL analyst to select a Parker Sandover victory.

Mitch Woodcock from The West Australian Newspaper also likes the chances of the former AFL-listed player.

“The combination of South Fremantle winning a remarkable 17 games and Parker being their best player will get the Bulldogs star over the line,” Woodcock said.

“Parker’s ability to win clearances, break out from the pack and kick goals consistently will make him a standout this season.

“There is an argument that the likes of Trey Ruscoe, Tom Blechynden and Jake Florenca will take votes, but I believe there are multiple games where he will either get the three or the two which will be enough to win his first Sandover Medal.”

Woodcock has Parker winning from Charlie Constable from Perth and Royals midfielder Tom North.

Entering the Sandover count as favourite, Demons midfielder Charlie Constable is well placed to take home the biggest individual prize in the WAFL, according to Channel 7 experts Michael Broadbridge and Trent Cooper.

Broadbridge though is wary of another Perth player attracting the attention of the umpires.

“Charlie is a prolific ball winner who led the competition for disposals during the home and away season,” Broadbridge said.

“The danger is that his teammate Brandan Parfitt will take some votes off him, however Perth’s winning year will see them attract more three and two votes each game, which means he should finish very high in the count.”

Broadbridge has Parfitt and Parker rounding out the top three.

Cooper is convinced Constable has enough vote winning games to finish ahead of Murdock and Parker.

“Constable has put together an outstanding season, with Perth winning enough games to give him plenty of opportunity to collect two and three vote performances,” Cooper said.

“Averaging over 32 disposals and nearly eight clearances per game, his consistency and influence around the contest should ensure he features prominently in the umpires’ votes.”

Sport FM’s leading WAFL commentator Jacob Landsmeer has tipped a Royal to be crowned Sandover king on Monday.

“Tom North has been a shining light playing as an inside midfielder for East Perth, a standout in a revamped Royals engine room,” Landsmeer said.

“His elite kicking and deft hands make him a standout.

“Constable has led from the front for Perth, but teammate Brandan Parfitt will take votes off him, while Sharks midfield tyro Murdock won’t be far behind.”