Johnston’s Medal

COLBINABBIN’S Ben Johnston was the leader at the end of yesterday’s dramatic counting of votes for the Sam Cheatley Medal to be seniors best and fairest in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football-Netball League for 2008.A best afield performance in the round 18 clash with Huntly catapulted the Colbo wingman to 20 votes and one clear of Heathcote’s young gun, Lech Featherstone.Another of Colbo’s stars, Nick Knight had been the hot tip to win the medal, but he finished equal sixth on 14 votes.At the halfway mark of the count, Featherstone was a runaway leader on 14 votes, with Johnston well back in the pack on seven. The Grasshoppers’ midfielder earned the maximum three votes in rounds 11, 13, and 14, and one vote in the round 16 clash.With the final round to be called, Featherstone and Elmore’s Brian Westley were locked on 18, Johnston on 17, and Lockington-Bamawm’s Anthony Baker on 13.