Trio the top contenders for prestigious Henry Kleemann Medal

Two high-profile recruits and a consistent ball-winner are expected to vie for tonight’s Henry Kleemann Medal, with the Great Southern Football League’scoaches tipping a three-way battle for the competition’s highest individual honour.

Mt Barker defender Daniel Dalby, Denmark-Walpole big man Shayne Zanetti and North Albany midfielder Matt Smith have been narrowed down as the jointfavourites for the 58th count of the prestigious medal for the fairest and best player in the GSFL.

Dalby and Zanetti, who entered the competition this season with previous WAFL experience at East Fremantle and West Perth respectively, have been tipped by four of the six GSFL coaches to take home the honour.

Smith, who has led the Kangas’ midfield this season with star on-baller Matt Orzel injured for six games, has been tipped to win the award by his coach Craig Dew and Royals’ James McRae.

After 12 rounds of the GSFL season, Smith led theAlbany Advertiser Footballer of the Year Award by four votes from Bulls duo Dalby and Peter Taylor, with Zanetti and Royals midfielders Henry Hodge and Declan McNamara one vote further back.

Ex-West Perth ruckman Zanetti finished second in the Sean Plaisted Medal with 44 goals as a key forward, ruckman and midfielder for the Magpies this season

Dalby, who played 40 games for East Fremantle, including representing WA in 2009 before retiring in 2010, has been a key figure in the Bulls’ resurgence, with his precise disposal by foot across half-back sure to catch umpires’ eyes.

Coaches Matt Candy (Denmark-Walpole), Wayne Stubber (Railways) and his own coach, Shayne Thompson, believe Dalby will become only the Bulls’ third winner of the medal in the GSFL’s 25-year history.

“I think Declan McNamara will be right up there as well, had a great start to the season with Daniel Dalby to come home late but a very open count and a lot of players have had good seasons,” Thompson said.

The Bulls’ travelling Perth players, including Dalby, will not attend tonight’s medal count but are expected to keep in constant contact as the count progresses.

The GSFL team of the year will also be announced tonight along with theAlbany Advertiser Footballer of the Year and GSFL coaches’ player of the year at Motel LeGrande.