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Related – Michelsen Medal live blog
Related – Sharp’s historic victory
Greg Williams, Brendan Hartney, Derrick Filo, Frank Coghlan… Lachlan Sharp.
The Strathfieldsaye Storm star admitted having his name alongside some of the greats of the game as a Michelsen Medal winner was an honour.
“I never understood the term ‘to pinch yourself’, now I do,’’ Sharp said.
“I’m honoured. I can’t put it any other way.
“I never imagined my name would be alongside great players of the past.
“To be honest, I thought it was a great privilege to have my name alongside the likes of Grant Weeks for the Ron Best Medal. He was an amazing player and I can’t believe he didn’t win the Michelsen.”
Sharp polled 18 votes on Sunday night to defeat Golden Square’s Jack Geary by four votes and become the first Strathfieldsaye player to win the BFNL’s highest individual honour.
“I hold it very special to my heart because I love the club,’’ Sharp said.
“I played in the club’s first game and was lucky enough to play in the first premiership team. I’m honoured to represent the club every chance I get.
“Hopefully, we can do the right thing by the club this week and get another premiership.”
Storm coach Darryl Wilson said Sharp deserved all the credit for his stunning win.
“It’s amazing considering he’s coming off a knee reconstruction and he’s a forward. Forwards don’t normally poll well,’’ Wilson said.
“When I first arrived at the club he wasn’t sure what he was going to do with his footy, but he has put his head down and worked hard.
“He’s a resilient kid as shown by coming back from a knee reconstruction. He’s probably the best shot for goal I’ve seen.”
The left-footer kicked 124 goals in the home and away season to become the first player since Grant Weeks in 2012 to reach the century before the finals.
“Sam Mildren, Stephen Milne, Tom Bartholomew, Matt Ferguson were the dominant key forwards for a while, but this year Sharpy has had to become the main man,’’ Wilson said.
“He’s taken on that role with a lot of confidence. He’s more than happy to tell the other forwards to get out of the way if they get in his road.
“The thing that amazes me is he seems to slow the game down. He’s elusive, he’s a great kick and he’s a great decision maker.”
Wilson said Sharp’s loyalty to Strathfieldsaye shouldn’t be underestimated.
“In the past fortnight he’s had offers from football clubs that you and I could not imagine,’’ Wilson said.
“I’m talking massive, massive offers. He’s passionate about Strathfieldsaye, he loves the club and his family loves the club.
“He won’t be going anywhere.”