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We take a look at nine of the contenders ahead of today's Bendigo Football League Michelsen Medal at the Bendigo Club.
BRODIE FILO (Eaglehawk)
Season stats:
Games – 17. Goals – 27.
Times in best – 6. Advertiser votes – 22.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 4: v Kangaroo Flat - 4
Rd 5: v Castlemaine - 5
Rd 11: v Strathfieldsaye - 4
Rd 12: v South Bendigo - 5
Rd 18: v Sandhurst - 4
Not too many more dynamic players with the ball in their hands than the Hawks’ excitement machine. An eye-catching player whether it’s through the midfield or inside 50, where he kicked 27 goals.
TOM MAY (Gisborne)
Season stats:
Games – 14. Goals – 14.
Times in best – 10. Advertiser votes – 20.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 10: v Castlemaine - 5
Rd 13: v Golden Square - 3
Rd 14: v South Bendigo - 4
Rd 15: v Eaglehawk - 5
Rd 18: v Kangaroo Flat - 3
Missed the first four games of the season, so is giving his rivals a headstart. But the midfielder/forward who was in Gisborne’s best in 10 of his 14 matches could make a charge up the leaderboard in the second half of the count.
COREY JONES (Golden Square)
Season stats:
Games – 14. Goals – 44.
Times in best – 10. Advertiser votes – 30.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 7: v Eaglehawk - 4
Rd 9: v Castlemaine - 4
Rd 10: v Strathfieldsaye - 3
Rd 11: v South Bendigo - 5
Rd 13: v Gisborne - 4
Rd 14: v Kyneton - 5
Rd 16: v Eaglehawk - 5
A pre-season fractured cheekbone kept the Bulldogs’ star recruit out until round five. But once he hit the field, he was a dominant force all over the ground.
JACK GEARY (Golden Square)
Season stats:
Games – 17. Goals – 15.
Times in best – 6. Advertiser votes – 23.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 1: v Strathfieldsaye - 3
Rd 4: v Gisborne - 2
Rd 7: v Eaglehawk - 5
Rd 8: v Sandhurst - 2
Rd 9: v Castlemaine - 5
Rd 14: v Kyneton - 2
Rd 18: v Castlemaine - 4
The 2014 inter-league captain continues to enhance his status each year as one of the BFL’s elite players. A gun through the midfield, but has also filled key position roles throughout the year.
JAMES SAVILLE (Kangaroo Flat)
Season stats:
Games – 18. Goals – 7.
Times in best – 12. Advertiser votes – 23.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 6: v South Bendigo - 2
Rd 8: v Kyneton - 3
Rd 9: v Gisborne - 4
Rd 13: v Eaglehawk - 5
Rd 15: v South Bendigo - 5
Rd 17: v Kyneton - 4
First-year player at Kangaroo Flat and enjoyed a consistent midfield season that was recogised with inter-league selection. Plenty of competition for votes from team-mates Nick Lang and Corey Greer.
BEN WEIGHTMAN (Kyneton)
Season stats:
Games – 18. Goals – 64.
Times in best – 13. Advertiser votes – 27.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 2: v Sandhurst - 1
Rd 4: v South Bendigo - 5
Rd 7: v Castlemaine - 4
Rd 9: v Maryborough - 4
Rd 10: v Eaglehawk - 4
Rd 13: v South Bendigo - 3
Rd 14: v Golden Square - 1
Rd 15: v Strathfieldsaye - 2
Rd 16: v Castlemaine - 1
Rd 18: v Maryborough - 2
The midfielder/forward was the Tigers’ standout in their return season. Should be right in the mix.
TIM MARTIN (Sandhurst)
Season stats:
Games – 18. Goals – 9.
Times in best – 13. Advertiser votes – 32.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 1: v South Bendigo - 4
Rd 2: v Kyneton - 5
Rd 3: v Strathfieldsaye - 4
Rd 4: v Maryborough - 5
Rd 5: v Kangaroo Flat - 2
Rd 8: v Golden Square - 5
Rd 10: v South Bendigo - 2
Rd 11: v Kyneton - 4
Rd 16: v Gisborne - 1
Won the medal last year and massive chance to go back-to-back for first time since Greg Williams in 1982-83.
RYAN MALDENIS (Sandhurst)
Season stats:
Games – 18. Goals – 22.
Times in best – 6. Advertiser votes – 29.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 1: v South Bendigo - 2
Rd 2: v Kyneton - 4
Rd 3: v Strathfieldsaye - 3
Rd 5: v Kangaroo Flat - 5
Rd 6: v Castlemaine - 5
Rd 8: v Golden Square - 4
Rd 16: v Gisborne - 5
Rd 17: v Golden Square - 1
Former WAFL midfielder joined the Dragons this year with massive wraps and lived up to them. His 22 goals will help his cause.
STEPHEN MILNE (Strathfieldsaye)
Season stats:
Games – 17. Goals – 89.
Times in best – 8. Advertiser votes – 23.
Advertiser vote games:
Rd 4: v Castlemaine - 4
Rd 5: v Maryborough - 1
Rd 7: v Kangaroo Flat - 4
Rd 13: v Castlemaine - 4
Rd 14: v Maryborough - 5
Rd 15: v Kyneton - 4
Rd 18: v South Bendigo - 1
Can the highest-profile recruit into the BFL this year buck the trend and win the Michelsen as a forward? Booted 89 goals, including 11 hauls of at least five.
BENDIGO ADVERTISER SELECTIONS:
Luke West - Corey Jones (Golden Square).
Adam Bourke - Tim Martin (Sandhurst).
Nathan Dole - Jack Geary (Golden Square).
Richard Jones - Ryan Maldenis (Sandhurst).
Rod Case - Ben Weightman (Kyneton).
Dylan Lefevre (Addy work placement) - Jack Geary (Golden Square).
