Matt Denni snaps a 20-year drought by winning the $1000 NT News-Darwin Business Machine player of the year award

PALMERSTON ruckman Matt Dennis has snapped a 20-year drought by winning the Magpies’ first NT News player of the year trophy since Russell Jeffrey in the late 1990s.

Palmerston ruckman Matt Dennis is the 2018-19 NT News-Darwin Business Machines Player of the Year. Picture: Grey Morris

PALMERSTON ruckman Matt Dennis has snapped a 20-year drought by winning the Magpies’ first NT News player of the year trophy since Russell Jeffrey in the late 1990s.

The 32-year-old polled 16 votes to beat a desperately unlucky Nathaniel Paredes from St Mary’s on 15.

Paredes missed the last two rounds with a broken leg after leading into Round 17.

Dennis was pleased with his consistency despite soreness in his left knee that took some careful managing.

“I’ve been pretty happy with the way I’ve been playing around some niggling injuries like the left knee that’s been a bit of a problem for me training regularly,’’ he said.

“But luckily enough I’ve been able to put it all out there on Saturdays, so from a playing perspective I think I’ve had a really good season.

“Paredes is a super player who has had a really super year and it was unfortunate he got the injury when he did.

“You don’t want to see any player go down with that sort of injury, but in footy that’s the way it goes sometimes.’’

And the Pies in 2018-19?

“While it was a bit disappointing we haven’t made finals, looking at it as a club going forward and the fact we only won one game last year, to win seven this season is a big step forward.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids that have played senior footy this year, so there’s a lot of confidence for next season.’’

And what about snapping a 35-year Nichols Medal drought for the Magpies?

“I’ll be up there in the mix I suppose, but I wouldn’t put it past a couple of the other boys like Paredes and Stokesy (Jarrod Stokes) at Buffs,’’ he said.

“It all comes down to the umpires I suppose, but it’s a good opportunity to have a nice night and see what happens from there.’’