Beau O’Connell joins a long list of elite players to win the NTFL’s Nichols Medal

BEAU O’Connell hopes his Nichols Medal win will add to his ambition to play Australian football at the highest level.

Joint Nichols medallists Brodie Filo, left and Beau O'Connell get a taste of their medals. Picture: GREY MORRIS

BEAU O’Connell hopes his Nichols Medal win will add more impetus to his ambition to play Australian football at the highest level.

The second youngest player to win the coveted best and fairest award, 18-year-old O’Connell was quick to thank his mum Kerrie and Aunty Natasha for their support.

His historic tie with Nightcliff ball magnet Brodie Filo was the first in 12 years for the league’s premier division.

“I’ve been happy with my own form and the team’s efforts,’’ he told the NT News.

“Hopefully we can get a few wins next season and begin to move on,’’ he said.

An Academy player with Territory Thunder, O’Connell has been a regular at national U18 championships in Thunder colours and played in the NEAFL side in 2019.

O’Connell played through the middle and up forward for Wanderers where he booted 13 goals in 14 games and created others with his hard running and foot passing to teammates.

Asked about his AFL ambitions, O’Connell said it was a major focus in his life.

“I’m pretty sure playing AFL footy is everyone’s ambition, but in my case I hope it becomes a reality,’’ he said.

“I’m going to try my hardest to succeed in that area and hopefully I can make it.

“I played with the Crows reserves (SANFL) side in an intra club game and got some touches and kicked a goal, so that was a good start.’’

Filo was “pretty honoured’’ to win his second Nichols Medal in a season where his club Nightcliff won 17 of 18 home and away games.

“You think about individual stuff second behind the team things, but I’m pretty grateful for the support I’ve got from Nightcliff,’’ Filo said.

“Form wise I’ve been quiet the last month, but hopefully I can play some better footy with the side playing well.’’

Filo has been tagged in his last two matches and was down on his usual possession numbers as a result.

“Credit to the other sides for the game plan they’ve used on me in the last couple of matches,’’ he said.

“It might be time to pull my finger out, because if I’m doing well, hopefully the club is as well.

“We learn from defeats and it showed on the weekend when we brought a bit of speed back with Fitzy (Liam Holt-Fitz), who in my eyes is the best player in the league.’’