Smith wins first Kleemann Medal after stellar year with Kangas

Tue, 13 September 2016 11:50AM

North Albany's Matt Smith the 2016 Kleemann medallist. Credit: Laurie Benson

North Albany’s Matt Smith became his club’s eighth Kleemann medallist and fifth since 2009 after prevailing in a tense 2016 edition of the count at Motel Le Grande on Thursday night.

Smith, one of the perennial favourites heading into the 58th Kleemann Medal count, polled in eight games for the Kangas to finish with 18 votes after a stellar season in the midfield.

After starting slowly with only two votes in the first five rounds, Smith made his move with three best afield efforts in round 6, 9 and 10 to jump to the equal lead on 12 votes with Denmark-Walpole big man Shayne Zanetti.

A possible fourth-ever tie in the medal loomed at that stage but Zanetti polled only once in the last five games, a three-vote effort for his eight-goal haul against Albany.

Smith added a further six votes in the last five rounds and appeared home when he received best afield honours in round 14 against the Lions before securing his victory with two votes in the final game of the normal season against the Magpies.

Shayne Zanetti finished runner-up on 15 votes and Royals midfielder and early leader Henry Hodge rounded out the top three with 14.

Three players finished on 11 votes, Matt Orzel, Nic Chidgzey and John Lee, while the only players in double figures were experienced duo Craig Frost and Graham Ross (10 votes).

Another pre-count fancy, Mt Barker’s Daniel Dalby polled in only three games to finish with eight votes.

Smith said he knew it was getting close towards the end but hadn’t expected to win the honour after such a slow start.

“Because the leader board wasn’t up on the screen I wasn’t quite sure how close it was,” he said.

“When I got three votes in round 14 I thought I might actually get this but I’d had a pretty poor start.

“I was shocked and excited to win, it is an honour to receive this award with so many great players winning it before.

“Before coming over here I had played a lot of senior footy but never played in a final so to be in three straight grand finals and now win this it all means a lot to me.”

His win continues the Kangas’ strong record in the medal with Luke Cameron (2013), Brent Welshman (2012), Kris Ericson (2010) and Graham Ross (2009) all recent winners from the club.

The 28-year-old, who didn’t play for the large part of last season, said this year had similarities to his first year with the Kangas.

“In 2014 I played a similar role but I wasn’t as consistent,” he said.

“With Matt Orzel going down I had to step up in the midfield.”

2016 Kleemann Medal Count

Matt Smith (North Albany) 18

Shayne Zanetti (Denmark-Walpole) 15

Henry Hodge (Royals) 14

Nic Chidgzey (Mt Barker) 11

John Lee (Mt Barker) 11

Matt Orzel (North Albany) 11

Craig Frost (Railways) 10

Graham Ross (North Albany) 10

Ryan Kinnear (Royals) 9

Sam Lehmann (Mt Barker) 9

Zane Marwick (Railways) 9