Green Machine takes out SFL’s top honour

Lindisfarne star Josh Green has capped of a stellar debut SFL season after being crowned the 2022 William Leitch Medalist at Blundstone Arena. See all the winners.

LINDISFARNE star Josh Green has capped off a stellar debut SFL season after being crowned the 2022 William Leitch Medalist at Blundstone Arena on Friday night.

Green took out the SFL’s best and fairest award after polling 26 votes ahead of Huonville gun Brady Jones on 22 votes and Cygnet captain Lachy Watt who finished third with 18 votes.

The Two Blues pocket rocket took the competition by storm this year as he helped lead Lindisfarne to a premiership as they swept through the season unbeaten.

SFL. Semi final. Lindisfarne V Huonville. Josh Green Lindisfarne. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After stepping away from the TSL to join the Two Blues the former Brisbane and Essendon AFL footballer quickly displayed his talents with a number of dominant goal scoring displays.

Green averaged almost six goals a game across the season to finish with 97 majors and just three snags short of the magical century mark.

Green also took out the SFL Huon News Media Award for his blistering season while Two Blues coach Michael Cassidy was named the SFL Coach of the Year.

Josh Green Lindisfarne scores a goal during the 2022 SFL Grand Final between Lindisfarne and Cygnet. Picture: Linda Higginson

Meanwhile North Hobart superstar Elise Barwick was crowned the queen of the SFLW for the second year running after the gun onballer pipped Kingborough’s Marley Beaven in the final round to finish with 24 votes as the Division 1’s best and fairest.

Barwick’s win capped off another spectacular season following her best on ground performance in the Dees premiership win over Clarence last week.

SFLW Division 1 Grand Final. Clarence vs North Hobart Elise Barwick of North Hobart takes the mark and Rachel Archer, Clarence. Picture: Linda Higginson

In other divisions Lauderdale’s Maggie Smith and Huonville’s Emma Groves tied on 14 votes for Division 2’s top honour while Georgia Pennicott from Brighton finished a dominant season with 27 votes to take out the Division 3 best and fairest.

In the reserves competition Dodges Ferry goal kicking machine Andrew Press added to his recent premiership medallion after tying with Huonville’s Adrian Tatnell-Cowen for the George Watt Medal after both finished on 19 votes.

Press also took out the reserves goal kicking award with 54 majors for the year.

Meanwhile in the Colts it was Two Blues skipper Oliver Holdsworth who capped off his best on ground in last week’s premiership win by claiming the Lipscombe Medal on 24 votes.

In other leading goal kicker awards, New Norfolk’s Jack Miller and the Southern Storm’s Cooper Eaves took out the Colts award after tying on 30 goals while Tiger Georgie Bailey (44 goals) took out Division 1, The Port’s Stacey Fox (46 goals) took out Division 2, and New Norfolk’s Melinda Green (60 goals) claimed the Division 3 honour.

In other awards on the night, Jack Gleeson was awarded the Hodgman Medal for the best player in the SFL rep game while Lindisfarne Football Club were the Championship winner for its dominant season across multiple grades.