Glenelg midfielder Luke Partington named 2019 SANFL Magarey Medallist ahead of Adelaide Crow Patrick Wilson
Glenelg’s star onballer Luke Partington has said his AFL dream is still alive and paid an emotional tribute to his mother after his stellar first SANFL season with the Tigers was recognised with the 2019 Magarey Medal. See who scored all the votes at your club.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Monday Recovery: Fogarty escapes with fine, Port stars offered ban
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Elite Glenelg midfielder Luke Partington has been crowned this season’s Magarey Medallist after a brilliant debut season with the Tigers.
Delisted by West Coast at the end of last season, Partington polled the maximum three votes from the umpires in seven rounds to claim the league’s most prized individual award by five votes.
Adelaide midfielder Patrick Wilson, who has signed another rookie contract with the Crows, finished second with Norwood wingman Lewis Johnston four votes back in third.
Partington’s triumph continues a midfield domination, wining the past 15 medals.
He entered the count as the favourite and earned one vote in the narrow loss to Norwood in the opening round.
The classy onballer did not poll again until round seven when he earned three votes against Central District. He then stamped his mark on the count with the maximum votes in six of the next seven rounds in an incredible form burst.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
Partington was drafted by the Eagles from the Redlegs in 2015 and made six appearances in the AFL in three seasons. Last season, he was named the best and fairest for East Perth in the WAFL, before being delisted.
That form has continued into the SANFL with Partington averaging almost 30 possessions to be a driving force in the Tigers returning to the finals after an eight-year absence.
And while getting the Bays to a first premiership since 1986 was a priority, the 22-year-old said a return to an AFL list was still on his radar.
Congratulations to @GlenelgFC’s Luke Partington on winning the 2019 Magarey Medal, finishing with 26 votes. 🅠ðŸ¯@SANFL #7SANFL pic.twitter.com/TYd15f0oql
— 7SANFL (@7SANFL) September 9, 2019
“It’s definitely a goal and I’d love to experience AFL life again, but for me, it’s just setting myself up regardless if that happens or not and make sure I’m putting things in place that I keep enjoying playing footy, and working on a career outside of footy as well,” Partington said.
“If I could choose getting drafted at 18 or 21, I’d take 21 every day.
“You probably don’t appreciate it as much when you’re a little bit younger.”
Partington, who started playing football in Roxby Downs and then Tumby Bay, paid tribute to his tearful mum Amanda for steering him on his football journey after his tradesman dad Brian was killed by a rockfall at Olympic Dam at the age of 47.
He admitted the transition from full-time footballer to the state league system had been challenging but he had rediscovered his love of the game at Glenelg.
“The transition was difficult with the lifestyle change, going from earning a good wage to earning nothing and university full time,” he said in July after being named The Advertiser SANFL Player of the Week for his stunning efforts against Woodville-West Torrens.
“But I’m loving it and having a good time.”
He is Glenelg’s first Magarey winner since Brent Backwell in 2006.
He described his early season form as average and that was reflected in the voting. However, as the season lengthened so too did his influence on the competition.
Another opportunity on the national stage is still an ambition and Partington has been invited to the state combine.
Wilson was the Crows’ first selection in the 2017 rookie draft and made his AFL debut against Hawthorn in round 13 last year. He made another appearance this season on the back of outstanding form in the engine room for the state league side.
Redlegs star Mitch Grigg, who had won the previous two Medals but was ineligible after being suspended this season, polled five votes.
ALL THE VOTES FOR YOUR CLUB
ADELAIDE
21: P. Wilson 10: M. Poholke 5: B. Gibbs, S. Jacobs, R. Knight 3: H. Greenwood, J. Jenkins, M. Wright 2: R. Douglas, N. McHenry, A. Otten, P. Seedsman 1: J. Gallucci, C. Jones, T. Stengle
CENTRAL
13: T. Schiller 11: J. Schiller 5: T. Menzel 3: J. Hoskin 2: E. East
EAGLES
13: J. Foote 8: C. Hall 4: J. Sinor 3: J. Boyd, A. Poole 2: M. Goldsworthy, J. Johansen 1: S. Guilhaus, J. Hayes, J. Redden, L. Sharrad, J. Toumpas, J. Rowe
GLENELG
26: L. Partington 10: M. Motlop 9: C. Curran 7: L. Reynolds, M. Snook 5: L. McBean 3: J. Scharenberg 2: A. Bradley, B. Close, L. Hosie, M. Proud 1: W. Gould, C. Gregson, J. White
NORTH
10: A. Tropiano 9: J. Allmond 5: T. Schwarz, M. Thring 1: L. Hender
NORWOOD
17: L. Johnston 12: M. Nunn 9: M. Panos 5: D. Barry, S. Baulderstone, M. Grigg 3: D. Hamilton, B. McKenzie 2: D. Stephens 1: P. Bampton, C. Shenton, C. Taheny
PORT
15: J. Trengove 8: J. Atley 6: W. Drew, S. Lycett 5: W. Frampton, P. Ladhams, J. Lienert 4: C. Sutcliffe 3: M. Broadbent, J. Garner, T. Rockliff, O. Wines 2: C. Dixon, S. Gray, S. Mayes, J. Westhoff 1: T. Cox, S. Hayes, T. Marshall, S. Powell-Pepper, B. Woodcock, S. Motlop
SOUTH
14: A. Davis 12: J. Cross 9: J. Haines 5: N. Liddle 3: T. Whittlesea 2: E. Irra, J. McKinnon, N. Schwarz 1: A. Cailotto, M. Rose, B. Crabb
STURT
16: S. Colquhoun 15: Z. Kirkwood 10: J. Battersby 6: A. Riley 5: J. Hone, D. Pearce 3: M. Evans 2: F. Evans, Fahey-Sparks 1: J. Sutcliffe
WEST
10: W. Snelling 8: K. Stevens 3: D. Willsmore 2: L. Hill, J. Noble, T. Keough 1: J. Beech, H. Haysman, J. Schiller