HOW IT HAPPENED: LIVE: Michelsen Medal coverage
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WHAT was touted as one of the most open Bendigo Football League Michelsen medals quickly became a one-horse race as Sandhurst ruckman Tim Martin recorded a runaway win on Sunday.
Martin polled a record 34 votes, gaining the attention of the umpires in 13 of his 18 games.
It was clear from the outset that it would be back-to-back Michelsens for Martin when he raced out of the blocks.
By six rounds he had 14 votes; by 11 rounds he had 27; before finishing with a final tally of 34, surpassing the previous Michelsen record of 33 votes, set by Golden Square ruckman Tony Southcombe in 1972.
“Maybe you get in the minds of the umpires early in the season and then you become the first person who is in their minds when they go to do the votes after a game,” Martin said.
“When you’re around the ball for most of the game like I am, you’re in the action all the time, and that’s probably got a bit to do with it.”
Martin is in his second season back at Sandhurst following stints with Port Melbourne in the VFL and East Perth in the WAFL.
“Probably the biggest advantage I had from that experience is the compounding effect of the pre-seasons,” Martin said.
“When I first went down to Melbourne I couldn’t run around the block, but having five pre-seasons at state level increased my endurance ability and that’s one of my strengths... I can run all day and cover a lot of ground.”
Meanwhile, the fitness of Martin will be one of the biggest talking points ahead of this Saturday’s grand final between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.
Martin dislocated his ankle in the dying stages of Saturday night’s preliminary final win over Gisborne and was on crutches at Sunday’s count.
“I’m hopeful... the doctor is not so optimistic, but I’ll stay on the sticks until Thursday and see how the pain management goes later in the week,” Martin said.
LEADERBOARD:
Tim Martin (Sandhurst) 34
Corey Jones (Golden Square) 21
Stephen Milne (Strathfieldsaye) 21
Brodie Filo (Eaglehawk) 18
Ryan Maldenis (Sandhurst) 17
Tom May (Gisborne) 14