CTV > Watch highlights of Paul's season as CTV speaks to him about the honourSHORTLY before the finals series kicked off this year, Collingwood forward Paul Medhurst was in a reflective mood when he fronted the media for a weekly press conference.
He was honest in his assessment of his form, of why it has improved it so dramatically this year, and was willing to admit homesickness greatly affected his first year as a Magpie in 2007.
The 26-year-old also said leaving his first club of Fremantle to come across to Collingwood was the best move he could have made.
Now, three weeks later, that claim carries even more weight. On Monday night Medhurst was named an All-Australian player for the first time, in a forward pocket alongside Lance Franklin and Brendan Fevola.
"I think it's a bit of a reward for effort, in a way. I've put a lot of dedication in this year than I ever have before, and to have it recognised is pretty good," Medhurst told collingwoodfc.com.au after receiving his accolade.
"Looking back a couple of years, the opportunity to play in the AFL, it wasn't out of the question that I could lose that opportunity.
"To be recognised in the elite group now is a real honour."
Still reeling from Collingwood's Saturday night exit from the finals race, Medhurst said his All-Australian status comes as a nice consolation.
"It's a pretty proud night. There's some amazing players in the team so to be put in the forward pocket, it's great," he said.
"Outside of finals, you'd love to be playing finals, but individually it's a really good honour and not something I expected a couple of years ago.
"Hopefully I can keep the form up next year."
Medhurst was the only Collingwood player to make the All-Australian extended squad of 40 players, and is the first Magpie to win the honours since Alan Didak in 2006.
"The last couple of years we haven't had too many nominations but I suppose that's our strength," he said.
"We're very even across the board but I don't think it will stay that way for too long. We've got some unbelievable players in and I'd be very surprised if Dale Thomas or Scott Pendlebury isn't an All-Australian next year."
Fellow small forward Leon Davis was touted as unlucky to miss out on making the squad, after a blistering season following periodic moves in the midfield.
Medhurst agreed Davis was stiff, but joked about being glad his teammate could not steal his spot.
"He's been in great form and he got injured for awhile there which slowed him down a bit, but I think it's hard – you've got to hit your patches of form at the right time," he said.
"He was really consistent but I don't know; if he'd got in, I might have missed out on my spot.
"But he did really well and I'm sure he'll make it in the next couple of years."
