Luke Partington was recognised for an outstanding WAFL campaign by polling the most votes of any East Perth player at last night’s 2018 Sandover Medal.
The third-year Eagle – who represented the Royals on 17 occasions this year – claimed 24 votes to edge co-captain Pat McGinnity (21 votes) for top Royals honours at the WAFL’s night of nights.
Partington was awarded top votes on three occasions throughout the season.
He earned best-on-ground honours for his 29 disposal effort against East Fremantle in round six, was adjudged best afield for his 33-disposal, seven-tackle and one-goal performance versus Swan Districts in round eight and capped off his season with another five-vote haul in round 21, where he amassed 29 disposals and kicked three goals against Peel at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
First-year Eagle Brayden Ainsworth also caught the umpires’ eyes throughout East Perth’s 2018 campaign, winning 15 votes – including two four-vote hauls – during his first season competing against seasoned league opponents.
East Perth’s joint 2017 FD Book medallist Fraser McInnes polled 14 votes – including a best afield gong for his inspiring 31-hitout, 24-disposal and two goal display against West Perth in round two – and Dom Sheed collected an impressive 11 votes despite representing the Royals on just four occasions this year.
Nathan Vardy (eight votes) claimed four votes each for his efforts in rounds 13 and 15, while first-year Eagle Hamish Brayshaw collected six votes from the eight games he played this year.
Key forward Jake Waterman, versatile utility Brendon Ah Chee and run-with specialist Mark Hutchings polled four votes, emerging onballer Matthew Allen and budding swingman Jarrod Brander finished the count with three votes apiece and Will Schofield claimed one vote for his round five performance against East Fremantle.
Claremont midfielder Jye Bolton claimed his second Sandover Medal in three years with 52 votes over pre-count favourite, Subiaco’s Kyal Horsley (47 votes).
2018 Sandover Medal – Top 10
Jye Bolton (Claremont) – 52 votes
Kyal Horsley (Subiaco) – 47
Lachlan Delahunty (Subiaco) – 38
Aaron Black (West Perth) – 36
Shane Nelson (West Perth) – 36
Kane Mitchell (Claremont) – 32
Josh Deluca (Subiaco)* – 31
Shane Hockey (South Fremantle) – 28
Luke Meadows (West Perth) – 27
Haiden Schloithe (South Fremantle) – 27
2018 Sandover Medal – East Perth
Luke Partington – 24
Patrick McGinnity – 21
Brayden Ainsworth – 15
Fraser McInnes – 14
Dom Sheed – 11
Nathan Vardy, Sharrod Wellingham – 8
Hamish Brayshaw – 6
Brendon Ah Chee, Mark Hutchings, Jake Waterman, Asher Samelko, Julian Ameduri – 4
Matthew Allen, Jarrod Brander – 3
Mitchell Dobson – 2
Will Schofield – 1
