Bombers big man joins exclusive club with third Lynch Medal

Lauderdale ruck Sam Siggins became just the second player to win a third Alastair Lynch Medal as the TSL’s best and fairest on Monday night.

Lauderdale's Sam Siggins crowned the 2023 Tasmanian State League's Alastair Lynch Medalist. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Lauderdale big man Sam Siggins has capped off a fine individual season by becoming just the second player to win a third Alastair Lynch Medal at Monday night’s Tasmanian State League awards.

After accruing just five votes after seven rounds, Siggins stormed home with best afield nods in the Bombers’ last three games to finish on 23 votes, five clear of North Launceston co-captain Ben Simpson (18) with Clarence’s Baxter Norton (17) third.

It’s Siggins’ third gong in four years after he also claimed the league’s highest honour in 2020 and 2022.

He joins Glenorchy six-time best and fairest Jaye Bowden (2012, 2015-16) as the only players to win three Lynch Medals.

Siggins also won a second consecutive Cripps Player of the Year award this season, voted on by media after each match.

He was also named best on ground in Tasmania’s victory over Queensland at North Hobart Oval this season.

Sam Siggins was player of the match in Tasmania’s win over Queensland this season. Picture: Linda Higginson

But the ultimate team success still missing from his CV is the achievement Siggins craves the most.

“It’s been a pretty tough season with only winning six games and missing finals but I’m proud to have won it again,” he said after winning the Cripps Player of the Year.

“I’d much prefer to be playing finals but in terms of my individual season, I feel like it’s been a consistent season even though the wins haven’t come as frequently as we’d like.

“The biggest thing I’m chasing is team success.

“Especially going into the final year of the TSL. If we can shape up our list and potentially be a part of a finals series and hopefully something even more special that is my goal. That’s probably something that’s missing from my end.

“It (a premiership) is something I want to tick off before I finish playing footy.”

Glenorchy young gun Blake Waight in action. Photo: Linda Higginson.

Glenorchy’s Blake Waight won the Matthew Richardson Medal as the TSL’s best young player (under 23, less than 20 senior games).

The defender took on the vice captaincy at the Magpies this season and was named in the TSL’s team of the year.

North Launceston player-coach Brad Cox-Goodyer added a first Peter Hudson Medal to his CV as the TSL’s leading goalkicker with 53.

Three players - North Launceston duo Alex Lee and Jack Avent and Glenorchy player-coach Josh Arnold - were awarded TSL life membership after bringing up their 200 game milestones this year, as was umpire Mark Tuckett.

North Launceston’s Josh Rickard handballs during Sunday’s senior preliminary final win over Clarence. Picture: Linda Higginson

North Launceston’s Josh Rickard claimed the Rodney Eade Medal as the best and fairest player in the Development League, voted on by umpires.

Rickard, who has also played six senior games including both of the Bombers’ finals, polled 14 votes to finish ahead of Lauderdale’s Haydn Smith (12) and teammate Oscar Harper (11).

North Launceston will take on North Hobart in Saturday’s Development League grand final.

North Hobart’s Matthew Yates topped the Development League’s goalkicking with 42, while Lauderdale’s Reiley Banks claimed the Robert Beakley Medal as the STJFL’s best and fairest.

ALASTAIR LYNCH MEDAL LEADERBOARD

23: Sam Siggins (Lauderdale)

18: Ben Simpson (North Launceston)

17: Baxter Norton (Clarence)

16: Kieran Lovell (Kingborough)

15: Brad Cox-Goodyer (North Launceston)

12: Jake Hinds (Launceston), Brodie Palfreyman (Launceston)