Central District’s Harry Grant wins medal with flying finish

Central District’s midfield dynamo has taken out the SANFL’s biggest individual honour in a remarkable end to this year’s count.

Central District’s midfielder Harry Grant on the Red Carpet at the Magarey Medal Presentation at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Kelly Barnes

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Central District’s Harry Grant has produced a barnstorming finish to win the 2023 Magarey Medal.

The 22-year-old midfield dynamo polled the maximum three votes in the Bulldogs’ last five SANFL minor round games to edge Norwood’s Nik Rokahr by three in a thrilling finish at Monday night’s medal count at Adelaide Oval.

Central District's Harry Grant has won the 2023 Magarey Medal. Picture: David Mariuz

In a remarkable end to the count, Grant was voted best afield by the umpires in finalist Central’s last five matches against South Adelaide, Norwood, Sturt, North Adelaide and Port Adelaide to finish with 27 votes.

Rokahr, who also was runner-up last year, polled 24 votes, with Sturt captain James Battersby third on 23.

Battersby’s Double Blues midfield sidekick Tom Lewis, who missed three games with an ankle injury, was next on 21 votes ahead of Glenelg’s long-kicking Matthew Allen (20), Woodville-West Torrens’ James Rowe (18) and Adelaide's Harry Schoenberg and West Adelaide’s Kobe Ryan (17).

The 173cm Grant became the seventh Central player to win the Magarey Medal – SA football’s highest individual accolade for the SANFL fairest and most brilliant player.

He joined fellow Bulldogs Gary Window (1965), John Duckworth (1979), John Platten (1984), Gilbert McAdam (1989), current coach Paul Thomas (2004) and Brad Symes (2012) in having the medal draped around his neck.

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Grant managed only five votes from the opening seven rounds before catching the umpires’ eyes as the Bulldogs finished the season strongly to make the finals for the first time since 2017.

They were beaten in the first semi-final by Sturt on Sunday, finishing fourth.

Grant, who joined the Dogs from the GWS Academy via Canberra club Queanbeyan in 2021 but played just seven games last year because of injuries, averaged 26 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles this season.

Putting his improvement down to better fitness and studying the running patterns of Gold Coast star Touk Miller in the off-season, Grant polled votes in 11 games, recording eight first preferences (three votes) with his tough, in-and-under style.

In a dramatic finish to the count, Grant held a one-vote lead over Battersby entering the final round.

Rokahr polled two votes against the Crows to join him on 24 before Grant gained the maximum three against the Magpies at Elizabeth Oval.

Grant also tied for The Advertiser SANFL Player of the Year award with Lewis and won the SANFL’s R. O Shearman Medal, voted on by the coaches, and the 2023 SANFL Now Player of the Year.