O’Brien claims 2013 Sandover Medal

East Fremantle midfielder Rory O’Brien claimed the 2013 Sandover Medal at Crown’s Grand Ballroom on Monday night, September 16.

He won the count with a total of 55 votes – 12 ahead of East Perth’s Paul Johnson on 43 and only three behind equal record holders Matthew Priddis (2006) and Kane Mitchell (2012), who each polled 58 votes.

Claremont’s Jake Murphy finished third with 41 votes.

O’Brien gathered more than 30 possessions on 11 occasions this season to lead the league in disposals with a total of 622 and went into the Sandover Medal count among the favourites.

The Sharks’ ball magnet, who also took out this year’s $5000 AAMI WAFL Player of the Year Award, polled votes in 14 rounds, which included five best on ground performances throughout the season.

Johnson and Murphy both polled votes in 11 rounds, with Johnson also recording five best on ground performances and Murphy four.

The Reserves’ Prendergast Medal was presented to West Perth’s Frank Stockley and the Colts’ Jack Clarke Medal was presented to East Fremantle’s Jacob Green.

The JJ Leonard Medal for coach of the Year went to Claremont’s Marc Webb and Stuart Parry won umpiring’s Montgomery Medal

Claremont also took home the Rodriguez Shield and East Perth’s Josh Smith received the Bernie Naylor Medal as the competition’s leading goal kicker.

East Perth District Volunteer Luke McNiece was named WA Football Volunteer of the Year.

LEADERBOARD

55 – Rory O’Brien (EF)

43 – Paul Johnson (EP)

41 – Jake Murphy (C)

36 – Mark McGough* (EF)

32 – Brendan Lee (EP)

30 – Aaron Black (WP)

27 – Mitch Banner (SF)

25 – Mark Seaby (C)

25 – Paul Bevan (P)

24 – Dayle Garlett (SD)

24 – Mark Hutchings (WP)

23 – Josh Smith (EP)

23 – Jarrod Kayler-Thomson (S)

22 – Luke Blackwell (C)

22 – Andrew Foster (C)

22 – Wayde Twomey (SD)

21 – Andrew Browne (C)

21 – Craig Wulff* (EP)

21 – Shane Nelson (WP)

20 – Bradd Dalziell (EF)

20 – Brendon Jones (PT)

CLICK HERE for all 2013 Sandover Medal Votes