Denmark-Walpole’s Josh Thompson claims thrilling colts count, Railways’ Milan Jaggi runaway sixteens winner

Denmark-Walpole ruckman Josh Thompson has capped a brilliant season by winning the Rod Gillies Medal, prevailing by a vote over Royals’ Teague Valli in a thrilling count for the Great Southern Football League’s best and fairest colts player on Wednesday night. Thompson polled five best-on-ground performances to reel in Valli — who was the early leader — and claim the prestigious honour with 19 votes. Valli shot out of the blocks with eight votes in the first three rounds and he held the lead until round 10 when Thompson received two votes. Thompson led by a vote for the next two rounds of the count and then a two-vote performance against Mt Barker in round 13 pushed the talented teenager further ahead. Valli received two votes in the Lions’ big win over North Albany in round 14 but he did not play in the final round, handing the win to Thompson. Thompson played 13 games in the regular season and was a key part of the Magpies finishing on top of the ladder with 14 wins and one draw. Magpies captain Jed Cummuskey finished third on 17 votes while Bulls’ Alexander Skinner (16 votes) and Lions’ Ryan Lazar (15) rounded out the top five. The Warrick Proudlove Medal for the best and fairest player in the sixteens 16s competition was also announced at Retravision Stadium on Wednesday. Star Railways midfielder Milan Jaggi was a runaway winner of the medal, polling in all but two games during the regular season to finish 15 votes clear of his nearest rival. Jaggi did not play in round one of the season and failed to attract votes in round seven, but he polled in every other game. He trailed Albany’s Ned Shepherd and Mt Barker’s Tylah Williams early on but by round six had established a decent lead. Jaggi was judged best afield in nine of his 14 games to finish a deserving winner with 32 votes. Williams was second on 17 while the top six was rounded out by Sharks’ Harvey Taylor (16), Magpies’ Marlon Mastalerz (13) and Sharks’ pair Aiden Clark (12) and Ned Shepherd (12). Magpies’ Jhett Morrison-Carter won the colts leading goal kicker award with 40 majors, while Bulls’ Kyrell Williams won the 16s leading goal kicker trophy with 38 goals. 2022 Rod Gillies Medal 19 votes: Josh Thompson (Denmark-Walpole) 18 Teague Valli (Royals) 17 Jed Cummuskey (Denmark-Walpole) 16 Alexander Skinner (Mt Barker) 15 Ryan Lazar (Royals) 12 Angus Bowles (Albany) 11 Lachlan Cale (Railways) Todd Brown (Denmark-Walpole) 9 Mitchell Collier (Albany) 7 Samuel Ross (Denmark-Walpole) 2022 Warrick Proudlove Medal 32 votes Milan Jaggi (Railways) 17 Tylah Williams (Mt Barker) 16 Harvey Taylor (Albany) 13 Marlon Mastalerz (Denmark-Walpole) 12 Aiden Clark (Albany) Ned Shepherd (Albany) 11 Jared Ballard (Mt Barker) 9 Ashton Henrickson (Royals) Cleve Humphries (Royals) 8 Charlie Benson (Denmark-Walpole)