Second Alan Barnett Medal for Railways star Matt Palfrey after powering his side to GSFL premiership glory

There is something about Railways premierships and Alan Barnett medals for Matt Palfrey. The Tigers star produced a commanding performance in his side’s upset victory over Royals in the Great Southern Football League grand final on Sunday. He was adjudged the best player on the ground in the league decider by the central umpires, winning his second Alan Barnett Medal in the process. An increased midfield role spurred Palfrey, 25, on to his second best-afield display in a Tigers league premiership. Palfrey booted seven goals as a 17-year-old in the Tigers 2013 flag triumph but did his damage higher up the ground at McLean Park to guide his Tigers to a memorable 28-point victory. “It means everything to be a two-time Alan Barnett medallist, in the last two premierships for the club,” he said. “To win a premiership with your best mates and play a pretty good game when it counts is pretty special and something I will hold very closely to me. “I played a bit more time in the midfield this year compared to when I was 17 and playing full forward. “I guess getting my fitness up to scratch is something I struggle with but every challenge I like to hit head on and give it my all so it was a good challenge playing more in the midfield and I think I was up to it. “Team success is so sweet, it definitely means more to me to be that team player that wins premiership with your best mates.” Palfrey started at full forward but played a large part of the game in the middle to finish 23 disposals, seven marks and an important last quarter goal to be a fitting winner of his second Barnett Medal. The former WAFL forward was damaging around the stoppages and changed the game in the middle with brunt clearance work. “Honestly I though Zak (Hortin) had it in the bag, I thought his first half set us to win that game, he was clunking everything up forward,” he said. “When Shep (Kane Shephard) got injured, Baylo (Mark Bayliss) sort of told me I would be playing more time in the midfield so I had to step up and be that bloke to give it all. “It’s great to win with the boys, Royals have been the benchmark all year and coming into this game I was pretty nervous and thinking anything can happen but credit to the boys and everyone behind the scenes that made it possible.” Palfrey played 41 league games for Claremont and booted 40 goals before returning to his junior club last season.