Sam Siggins set to win Player of the Year award with unattainable lead

Despite claiming the TSL Player of the Year award with a round to play, Lauderdale star Sam Siggins would trade it in for a chance to play in September.

Ryan Rosendale

@RosendaleRyan

2 min read

August 28, 2023 - 4:27PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Sam Siggins has further enhanced his standing one of the state’s finest footballers of the modern era with a second consecutive Player of the Year award. The 29 year-old will officially be named the winner at the conclusion of the final round but he holds an unattainable lead despite a bye this weekend. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

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While incredibly happy and humble to have claimed a second consecutive Cripps Player of the Year award, Lauderdale star Sam Siggins says an elusive premiership at his beloved Bombers is what he craves most.

The TSL’s best player across the last two seasons was judged best afield in Lauderdale’s upset win over finals-bound Launceston on Saturday after another dominating performance.

Siggins has produced an even better season in 2023 than he did when he won the Alastair Lynch Medal in 2020 and 2022. Picture: Chris Kidd

He finished with 41 disposals, 23 contested possessions, 10 inside 50s, 16 clearances and 220 ranking points which took his total votes for the season to 24.

But with his next closest rival Ben Simpson sitting on 19 after polling one vote in North Launceston’s 102-point win over Glenorchy, it means Siggins can’t be caught in the media voted awards despite Lauderdale having a bye in the final round this Saturday.

The soon to be father of two polled in 11 of a possible 18 games which included six best on ground performances.

“I’m really stoked to have won it,” Siggins said.

“It’s been a pretty tough season with only winning six games and missing finals but I’m proud to have won it again.

“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.”

It’s been a remarkable few years for the former Adelaide draftee since returning home for the second time after playing the 2018 season with Geelong in the VFL.

Two Alastair Lynch medals as the competition’s best and fairest player in 2020 and 2022, two Player of the Year awards, four consecutive appearances in the TSL Team of the Year between 2019 and 2022 and two club best and fairests.

Siggins polled in 11 games this season which included 6 best on ground performances. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

All that combined with kicking the memorable winning goal in Tasmania’s state clash against Queensland back in June is the reason many consider the 29 year-old to be the best player in the state.

But with his side set to miss the finals for the second time in three seasons, Siggins said he is hopeful of a return to September action in 2024 and a grand final – the latter a place he hasn’t been since 2019.

“The biggest thing I’m chasing is team success,” Siggins said.

“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 and I think a lot of the older boys are in the same boat.”

Siggins was hopeful the Bombers would be able to add some more experienced players to their list in the off-season to bridge the gap between their youngsters and veterans.