Josh Ponting adds to Tasmania’s famous name with more awards

It is one of Tasmanian sport’s most famous names but this time it was Josh Ponting claiming the accolades as the TSL’s best and fairest for the second straight year.

TSL Glenorchy v North Launceston at KGV Oval. (L-R) Joshua Ponting, Callen Daly of Glenorchy. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

NORTH Launceston’s Josh Ponting is filling his trophy cabinet almost as fast as his famous uncle Ricky after winning back-to-back Alastair Lynch Medals as the TSL’s best and fairest.

Ponting, 25, now has two straight medals as the state league’s best player to go alongside his four TSL premiership medallions. He also claimed the Darrel Baldcock Medal as best on ground in this year’s grand final win over Lauderdale.

In a thrilling count, Ponting was in a three-way battle with the Tigers former Hawthorn midfielder Kieran Lovell and Launceston gun onballer Jobi Harper.

Kieran Lovell of the Tigers. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Lovell and Harper led the voting on 18 after round 17, before Ponting, three behind the leaders, went on a surge, securing two votes in the win over Launceston, followed by consecutive best afields in victories over Lauderdale and North Hobart to take him to 23.

He missed out in the final round, a big win over Glenorchy, but his tally was enough to see him claim his second straight medal by two votes from Harper and Lovell.

Launceston Jobi Harper during the game against the Tigers at Windsor Park. Picture: Chris Kidd

The TSLW count was far more one-sided, with Launceston’s North Melbourne forward Daria Bannister a runaway winner, finishing on 27 votes, 11 clear of the ineligible Maggie Cuthbertson from North Launceston and Glenorchy’s Elise Barwick.

Bannister, 20, kicked 33 goals and was adjudged best afield in eight of her 13 games as the Blues went through the roster season undefeated only to lose the grand final to Clarence.

Launceston also produced the TSL coach of the year in Mitch Thorp and TSLW coach of the year in Angela Dickson.

Daria Bannister of the Kangaroos. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Tigers Edward Burrows-Cheng won the Rodney Eade Medal as the development league best and fairest, while another Tiger, Will Poland, was named the Matthew Richardson Medallist as the TSL’s rookie of the year.

Glenorchy forward Aiden Grace won the Peter Hudson Medal as the TSL’s leading goal kicker with 48, while Launceston’s Brie Rattray led the TSLW’s with 34 and the Tigers Cooper Sawdy the development league’s with 42.

It wouldn’t be a TSL awards night without Glenorchy star Jaye Bowden being recognised.

Bowden was given TSL life membership for his outstanding career that includes three Lynch Medals, three Hudson Medals, being a nine-time TSL team of the year representative, three-time Glenorchy premiership player (one TSL, two SFL) and six-time Magpie best and fairest.

This season, he was also just the second Glenorchy player, after Hudson, to reach the 500-goal milestone.

AFL Tasmania administrator Wayne Povey was also presented with TSL life membership for his long service to junior football, the Tassie Mariners, the VFL Devils and the state league.

Brayden White was awarded the TSL umpire of the year and Lauderdale’s Dion Mead the TSL volunteer of the year.

ALASTAIR LYNCH MEDAL TOP 10:

1. Josh Ponting (NL) 23

=2. Jobi Harper (Lton) 21

=2. Kieran Lovell (T) 21

4. Haydn Smith* (Ldale) 14

5. Fletcher Seymour (Lton) 13

=6. Ben Kamaric (G) 12

=6. Ryan Matthews (T) 12

8. Brad Cox-Goodyer (NL) 11

=9. Sam Burge (Ldale) 10

=9. Colin Garland (NH) 10

=9. Aiden Grace (G) 10

=9. Bryce Walsh Ldale) 10

TSLW BEST & FAIREST TOP 10:

1. Daria Bannister (Lton) 27

2. Maggie Cuthbertson* (NL) 16

3. Elise Barwick (G) 15

4. Brieanna Barwick (G) 14

=5. Sarah Skinner (G) 12

=5. Angela Dickson (Lton) 12

=7. Nicole Bresnehan (C) 9

=7. Marla Neal (T) 9

8. Hannah Scott (C) 8

=9. Jodie Clifford (NL) 7

=9. Chloe Haines (Lton) 7

=9. Chanette Thuringer (Lton) 7

(* ineligible)