Goodwood Saints’ Nick Favretto wins 2022 Adelaide Footy League division one Keith Sims OAM Medal

A former SANFL midfielder says his passion for the game is back this year after winning the Adelaide Footy League’s top individual honour. See every medal winner here.

A star Adelaide Footy League midfielder said his enjoyment for the game is at a career-high this season after taking out the competition’s highest honour last night.

Goodwood Saints champion Nick Favretto – who also spent six years at West Adelaide in the SANFL – polled 22 votes to win the Keith Sims OAM Medal for division one’s Best and Fairest.

Favretto entered the count as one of the favourites after a dominant year for the division’s second placed side and finished four votes on top of Port District’s Sam Gray and Old Ignatians captain Will Abbott.

It added to a fantastic year for the 26-year-old, whose Goodwood side will play Prince Alfred Old Collegians in the preliminary final this Saturday.

Goodwood Saints star Nick Favretto took out the division one Keith Sims OAM Medal on Monday night. Picture: Adelaide Footy League

“It’s definitely a great achievement and I honestly didn’t think it was going to be a clear win if I did get it,” Favretto said.

“It’s been a great year for myself and for the team so far, the side’s been fantastic and I love the footy club.

“My love for the game is back, there was a slump a couple years back where I wasn’t enjoying my footy but the culture at Goody Saints is amazing and it’s hard not to enjoy it all.”

Favretto played his whole junior career at Goodwood before eventually representing West Adelaide in SANFL reserves and league football.

Nick Favretto representing West Adelaide against the Crows. Picture: Stephen Laffer

He then moved to the Sunraysia Football League and Meningie in the River Murray Football League before returning to Goodwood in 2020.

“It’s been a great return to Saints for myself,” Favretto said.

“I’ve had some success but more importantly the team has as well with a premiership in 2020.

“My teammates have been excellent again this year and it definitely makes it easier on the field – I have to thank ruckman Tommy Carter especially for getting us midfielders the ball.”

Favretto (left) said he was eager to make another grand final with Goodwood. Picture: Dean Martin

The Saints will take on Prince Alfred OC this weekend at Richmond Oval as they aim to book a spot against Port District in this year’s grand final.

Favretto said despite the individual success, he was still fixated on getting back to the big dance.

“Our semi-final performance against Port District last weekend was sub-par and we all know it.

“It’s going to be a massive clash with PAOC – they’re a great team and it’ll be a great game.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can get to that final week.”

PAPATOLIS WINS SECOND STRAIGHT MEDAL

Star PHOS Camden midfielder Henry Papatolis has taken out his second straight FA Bloch Medal as division two’s Best and Fairest player despite playing through two major injuries in season 2022.

The Phantoms vice captain suffered a torn meniscus halfway through the season but was advised he could keep playing if the injury remained pain free.

He then suffered a hairline fracture in a shinbone just four weeks later.

On Monday night he polled 23 votes to take out the division two medal.

“It was pretty overwhelming to be honest, it still hasn’t sunk in,” Papatolis said of winning the FA Bloch Medal for a second year running.

“I had a good start to the year and then obviously the injuries hampered me a bit but I guess I managed to pull through and poll enough votes.

PHOS Camden gun Henry Papatolis won his second straight FA Bloch Medal on Monday night. Picture: Dean Martin

“I’m really proud to win it for PHOS Camden – you need the right people around you and everyone at the club is great to me, it’s such a culture-driven family club.”

Despite the injuries, Papatolis only missed one game this year in round 10.

While his club couldn’t quite capitalise of their vice captain’s good form and make finals this season, Papatolis said he was confident the side could bounce back in season 2023.

“Division two is super competitive but we definitely feel we’ve got all the talent and pieces we need,” he said.

“I’m super confident in our group – we just need to get some games together and continue developing.

“We’re a pretty young group but I know there are very big things in store for us.”

EVERY B&F MEDAL WINNER

• Division one (Keith Sims OAM Medal) – Nick Favretto (Goodwood Saints)
• Division one reserves (EA Davoren Medal) – Alek Kudra (St Peter’s OC)
• Division two (FA Bloch Medal) – Henry Papatolis (PHOS Camden)
• Division two reserves (G Palasis Medal) – Lukas Antoniadis (Adelaide Uni)
• Division three (GS Heard Medal) – Jake Pitman (Golden Grove)
• Division three reserves (DG McKay Medal) – Alex Stearne (Flinders Park)
• Division four (JW Schulz Medal) – Frank Timpano (Pooraka)
• Division four reserves (RB Lambert Medal) – Daniel De Lawuer (Kenilworth)
• Division five (JB Dicker Medal) (three-way tie) – Ben Haren (Lockleys), Daniel Mason (Gepps Cross), Jake Mazzone (Hectorville)
• Division six (AG Bert Medal) – Patrick O’Dea (Marion)
• Division six reserves (AEC Treloar Medal) (tie) – Matthew Perry (Trinity OS), Sean Bayzand (Marion)
• Division seven (RA Stennett Medal) – Matt Gibson (Greenacres)
• Division seven reserves (FJ Monten Medal) – Craig Bentley (Adelaide Lutheran)