We take a look at two of the top contenders to claim the 2019 Morrish Medal from each NAB League Boys club, ahead of Sunday’s NAB League Best & Fairest night.
Note that players from the five northern academy teams that competed in the NAB League Boys from Round 2-6 haven’t been included in this preview. However, players from these teams are eligible to poll votes in the Morrish Medal.
* The NAB League Best & Fairest night will be streamed live on nableague.com.au. CLICK HERE to watch.
JAMES SCHISCHKA (Bendigo Pioneers)
Pioneers captain and 190cm defender who played all 15 matches. Led Bendigo for total disposals and marks, averaging 19 disposals, five marks and three rebound-50s per game.
BEN WORME (Bendigo Pioneers)
Vic Country representative (two games) who played 14 matches as a 189cm utility linking the back and forward halves. Averaged 18 disposals, 4.5 marks and 3.5 rebound-50s per game.
NED GENTILE (Calder Cannons)
175cm attacking playmaker who kicked 14 goals across all 15 matches and jointly led Calder for total disposals. Averaged 19 disposals and a team-high four inside-50s per game.
SAM RAMSAY (Calder Cannons)
Jointly led the Cannons for total disposals and tackles across 13 matches as a 180cm midfielder. Averaged 21 disposals, four marks and four tackles per game as well as kicking seven goals.
NED CAHILL (Dandenong Stingrays)
Vic Country representative (four games) who led Dandenong’s goalkicking count with 14 majors in 10 matches as a 178cm forward. Averaged 18 disposals, four tackles and four inside-50s per game.
HAYDEN YOUNG (Dandenong Stingrays)
Stingrays skipper and skilful 188cm defender who also represented Vic Country on four occasions. Moved into the midfield at times and averaged 22 disposals, four marks and a team-high four rebound-50s per game.
MITCH MELLIS (Eastern Ranges - pictured, centre)
Speedy 173cm midfielder/forward who represented Vic Metro three times. Averaged a team-high 24 disposals as well as four inside-50s per game and also kicked nine goals across his 10 matches.
LACHLAN STAPLETON (Eastern Ranges)
Vic Metro representative (one game) who led Eastern for total tackles as a tough 177cm midfielder. Averaged 20 disposals, five tackles and four inside-50s per game.
JESSE CLARK (Geelong Falcons - pictured, left)
Falcons co-captain who also represented Vic Country on four occasions. Played 10 matches as a 188cm defender and averaged team-highs of 21 disposals and 6.5 rebound-50s per game.
CHARLIE SPRAGUE (Geelong Falcons)
188cm 19-year-old who led Geelong’s goalkicking count with 21 majors across 10 matches – including one haul of six goals and four bags of three. Also averaged 15 disposals and 4.5 marks per game.
FRASER PHILLIPS (Gippsland Power)
Vic Country representative (four games) who led Gippsland’s goalkicking count with 24 majors from 12 matches, which included five- and four-goal hauls. Also averaged 14 disposals and four marks per game.
BROCK SMITH (Gippsland Power)
Power skipper who led from the back half as a 188cm defender, averaging 21 disposals and team-highs of six marks and six rebound-50s per game in 11 matches. Also represented Vic Country three times.
MITCH MARTIN (GWV Rebels)
Playmaking 183cm midfielder/forward who appeared twice for Vic Country and led GWV’s goalkicking count with 18 majors in 13 matches. Also averaged 18 disposals, four inside-50s and four tackles per game.
JAY RANTALL (GWV Rebels - pictured, right)
Vic Country representative (four games) who averaged a team-high 26 disposals and 6.5 tackles per game in 11 matches for the Rebels as a tough 184cm midfielder.
LACHLAN ASH (Murray Bushrangers)
Co-captain of both Murray and Vic Country (in four games). Played nine NAB League matches as a dashing 186cm defender/midfielder and averaged 23 disposals, five marks and four tackles per game.
JYE CHALCRAFT (Murray Bushrangers)
Tough 176cm on-baller who led the competition for total disposals and the Bushrangers for total tackles. Averaged 22 disposals and four tackles per game across all 15 matches.
JOSH D’INTINOSANTE (Northern Knights)
177cm forward/midfielder who finished second on the competition goalkicking table with 26 majors in 14 matches – including one haul of six and two bags of four. Averaged 17 disposals, 4.5 marks and four tackles per game.
SAM PHILP (Northern Knights)
Tough and quick 185cm midfielder who emerged in 2019 to lead the Knights for total disposals across his 14 matches. Averaged 19 disposals and four tackles per game as well as kicking eight goals.
TRENT BIANCO (Oakleigh Chargers)
Chargers co-captain who also represented Vic Metro on four occasions. Played eight NAB League matches as a skilful 178cm running defender, averaging 25 disposals, 5.5 marks and five rebound-50s per game.
MATTHEW ROWELL (Oakleigh Chargers)
Only played four matches for Oakleigh but averaged 27 disposals, 4.5 inside-50s and a team-high 10 tackles per game as a hard-nosed 178cm midfielder. Also represented Vic Metro four times.
RYAN BYRNES (Sandringham Dragons)
Dragons captain and 181cm on-baller who averaged 22 disposals and a team-high 4.5 inside-50s per game across 11 matches. Also made one appearance for Vic Metro.
ANGUS HANRAHAN (Sandringham Dragons)
Over-age 183cm ball-winner who led Sandringham for total disposals and marks. Averaged 23 disposals, seven marks and four inside-50s per game in 11 matches as well as booting 15 goals.
JACKSON CALLOW (Tasmania Devils)
193cm bottom-age forward who topped Tasmania’s goalkicking count with 24 majors from 13 matches, which included one five-goal haul and three bags of four. Also averaged 13 disposals and six marks per game.
OLIVER DAVIS (Tasmania Devils)
Bottom-age Devils co-captain who led the team for total disposals and tackles as well as topping the competition for total inside-50s. Averaged 21 disposals, five tackles and five inside-50s per game in 13 matches as a 181cm midfielder.
ARCHI MANTON (Western Jets)
Competition goalkicking title-winner with 28 majors from 15 matches as a 186cm forward. Booted one five-goal haul, went goalless only twice and averaged 10 disposals per game.
LUCAS ROCCI (Western Jets)
Jets co-captain and 175cm running defender who provided plenty of drive for his team in averaging 17 disposals, four marks and 4.5 rebound-50s per game across 13 matches.
