Adelaide Footy League division one Keith Sims OAM Medal preview 2021

A former AFL captain is the red hot favourite to claim the Adelaide Footy League division one medal tonight. See the best chances and smokies from every club.

The Adelaide Footy League’s Keith Sims OAM Medal for the best and fairest player in division one is set to be unveiled in a virtual event on Thursday night.

And there is a clear favourite to take it home with Prince Alfred Old Collegians star Jack Trengove widely tipped as the front runner claim the award, which will be presented alongside medals for all men’s divisions.

Here are the best chances and smokies for each division one team:

PRINCE ALFRED OC

Prince Alfred Old Collegians midfielder Jack Trengove is the favourite heading into Thursday night’s Keith Sims OAM Medal. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Best chances: Old Reds star Jack Trengove appears to have all challengers covered in the race for the honour. The former Melbourne and Port Adelaide midfielder has put together a superb campaign and has been the dominant engine room force as PAOC put together 15 wins in the minor round, which will certainly yield plenty of opportunities for Trengove to attract votes. He was also named in the Old Reds’ best in 14 out of 17 matches including the first 11 rounds straight. Ruckman Cameron Giles looms as a teammate who could steal some votes from him. The ex-Carlton listed big man has been prolific in 2021 following an injury interrupted first season at the club last year.

Smokey: Key defender Will Dalwood is a proven vote-getter – placing second in the 2019 count – and has compiled another strong year.

PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION

Liam Davis. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

PNU’s Max Hodges could be a smokey to snare a few votes. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Best chances: Votes at the Falcons could be spread between too many for a winner to come out of Payneham Oval with no real singular standout from the grand finalists. Midfielder Anthony Giannini was in fine touch to begin the campaign and should start well, but a move to Darwin for work curtailed his availability and form in the back half. Dominant forward Liam Davis, the electric Anthony Wilson and prolific mid/forward Kristian Roocke should also attract votes.

Smokey: Highly-rated inside the club, Max Hodges does not garner the same outside attention as some of his more high-profile teammates but has been terrific this season.

GOODWOOD SAINTS

Goodwood Saints midfielder Nick Favretto. Picture: Brayden Goldspink

Best chances: After a third-placed finish in last year’s count, gun Saints midfielder Nick Favretto is well and truly in the mix once again. His consistency across Goodwood’s many wins makes him a definite chance to upset Trengove. Ruckman Tom Carter – equal fifth in last year’s voting – is another to keep an eye on with his physical presence in the ruck sure to attract the umpires’ attention.

Smokey: Being new to the competition this season may harm his chances in front of the umpires, but don’t be surprised if Nick Homburg features on the night. The former Blood has had the ball on a string at times this season racking up big numbers

ST PETER’S OC

SPOC forward Jock McLeay had a terrific year.

Nick McGill’s dash and ball use should put him in contention for some votes at SPOC. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

Best chances: A dominant, eye-catching presence at Caterer Oval, SPOC key forward Jock McLeay has taken over several games this year. While forwards don’t typically attract votes, McLeay’s 51 goals in the minor rounds have included some bags and should mean he features strongly.

Smokey:

The quick and skilful Nick McGill, who has previously done his best work across half-back, moved into a mid/forward role in the back half of the year and flourished even further. Has been one of SPOC’s most consistent performers.

TEA TREE GULLY

Brothers Dylan (left) and Chad Schoenmakers pictured with their dad Paul. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

Best chances: Brothers Chad and Dylan Schoenmakers appear set to battle it out for the Wolves’ top vote-getter in 2021. Chad – winner of last year’s division two medal – has shown before he can do it while Dylan’s ability as a goal-kicker midfielder was once again a key to TTG this campaign.

Smokey: Ruckman Blake Penney leads the Wolves well and has had a consistent year.

ROSTREVOR OC

ROC midfielder Dylan Reinbrecht. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Best chances: Inside midfield bull Dylan Reinbrecht finished equal fifth in the 2020 voting but his 2021 campaign has been even stronger. The former Norwood and Glenelg man is constantly under the umpires noses racking up plenty of possessions and laying big tackles. Classy onballer Luke Manuel is ROC’s other top chance. The goal-kicking midfielder will be a strong chance for maximum votes in a number of his side’s wins.

Smokey: In just his second season in the league youngster Stefan Lanzoni continues to turn heads. A super season and more midfield time may result in more votes.

PORT DISTRICT

Port District’s Louis Sharrad is tackled against Brighton. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Best chances: Magpies gun Louis Sharrad would have been in the thick of the battle for the medal but was suspended in early in the season for rough conduct. Nevertheless, the big-bodied midfielder will likely lead District in the count.

Smokey: Trent Heffernan only played the 11 games this season due to injury but was in the Magpies’ best on eight occasions and should pick up few votes here and there.

BRIGHTON BOMBERS

Best chances: He claimed the 2020 Keith Sims OAM Medal with 14 votes from nine round and Nigel Osborn will once again be the Bombers’ favourite to poll. While not as prolific as last season, Osborn’s second half of the season was strong and should attract votes.

Smokey: A young defender in his first season in division one, Jarman Sigal is highly rated at Brighton Oval.

Brighton's Nigel Osborn won the 2020 Keith Sims OAM Medal. Picture: Adelaide Footy League

Adelaide Uni’s Ryan Marini celebrates a goal. Picture: Brenton Edwards

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY

Best chances: Uni were narrowly relegated after and up-and-down campaign but it was not a reflection on the year Ryan Marini had. With six wins for the Blacks, the consistent onballer could snag enough votes to feature up the leaderboard. Reigning best and fairest Ben Adams is always a chance for votes and starred in a couple of his side’s victories.

Smokey: Only Marini features in Uni’s best on more occasions than Hamish Wallace. The defender had a terrific campaign.

UNLEY MERCEDES

Rising midfielder Oliver Cheesman had a standout season for the Jets. Picture: Emma Brasier

Best chances: Wins were had to come by for Unley Mercedes in 2021 and that means votes will be too.

A pair of midfielders – Oliver Cheesman and Andrew Khabbaz – appear most likely to poll for the Jets.

Cheesman’s development into the Jets’ leading onballer this season has been one of the positives of their campaign, so much so opposition teams begun to tag him as the campaign wore on.

Smokey: Another young midfielder who came on in leaps and bounds at Kingswood Oval was Riley Faehrmann.