EFL: Doncaster star Chris Annakis enjoying another strong season in the Eastern Football League
DONCASTER star Chris Annakis is enjoying another fine season in the Eastern Football League, with Sharks coach Andrew Tranquilli believing he could be in line for consecutive Chandler medals.
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COULD Doncaster star Chris Annakis make it back-to-back Chandler medals?
In the 56-year history of the Eastern Football League, only four players — Keith Robins (East Ringwood), Gary Cooper (Vermont), Bernie Dinneen (Vermont), Kris Bardon (Vermont) — have taken out the competition’s most prestigious individual honour in consecutive years.
From 10 matches this year, Annakis has been listed among the Sharks’ best players in seven games.
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He has also booted 19 goals at the halfway mark of the season, putting him on track to better last year’s tally of 26 majors.
Doncaster coach Andrew Tranquilli said Annakis, who celebrated his 200th game earlier this year, was having a more consistent season than 2017.
“He’s not having the flashy brilliance that he had last year where it’s just, ‘wow, where did that come from?’” Tranqulli said.
“He’s been a lot more consistent and I think the attribute to that is having the likes of (Michael) Fogarty, (Jack) Mahon and even Jessie (Finnen) to support him on the inside so he is able to use his smarts more on the outside as well.
“Don’t get me wrong, he is still doing inside work, so I’d have to say he’s more consistent and with the consistency, it’s allowing him to finish off on the scoreboard, which is probably more what is hurting sides.”
Annakis booted four goals for the second time this year in the 60-point Round 9 win over Montrose and has kicked multiple majors in six matches.
Tranqulli said Annakis’ workrate had allowed him to get to more contests this year and impact more plays, helping Doncaster to an 8-2 start to the season.
“He definitely catches their (umpires’) eye, that’s for sure,” he said.
“He still gets tagged every week, he gets scragged but we’ve just got a little bit more support for him where if he is down for a few minutes, someone else bobs up and it releases the pressure.”
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