Brodie Filo claims second NTFL league medal win
JOINT WINNERS: Brodie Filo (left) and Beau O'Connell celebrate their Nichols Medal success on Sunday night. Picture: TYMUNNA CLEMENTS - AFLNT MEDIA
BRODIE Filo hopes his joint win of the 2019-20 Nichols Medal will be a good omen for his Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) side Nightcliff in this weekend's grand final.
The gun Eaglehawk on-baller won the NTFL's top individual award for the second time after polling 20 votes in Sunday night's medal count at Darwin's Doubletree Hilton.
Unlike his previous medal win in 2015-16, Filo - who polled six best on ground votes in his total - had to share the honour with Wanderers young gun Beau O'Connell.
In an exciting vote count, Filo led the field going into the final round, with 18-year-old O'Connell the only player capable of catching him.
But with Filo missing Nightcliff's massive 108 point victory over Palmerston Magpies in round 18, O'Connell was able to swoop in with a three-vote performance against Tiwi Bombers to ensure a tie.
Filo will get his chance to add a premiership medallion to his second Nichols Medal, when he lines up for the Tigers in this Saturday's grand final against St Mary's.
Brodie Filo has added to his league best and fairest haul by winning a second Nichols Medal in the Northern Territory Football League. Picture: GLENN DANIELS
He will have history his side following his team-mate Phillip Wills' medal win in 2018-19, also a premiership season for Nightcliff.
"We were a little off against the Saints the other week, but we will definitely come back stronger this weekend," Filo said.
"Our coach has done a good job the last couple of weeks, so we will come back hard this week."
Nightcliff, which finished the season as minor premiers, will be aiming to turn the tables on St Mary's following their 26-point loss semi-final loss on February 29.
The Tigers rebounded strongly by defeating Southern Districts by 37 points in Saturday's preliminary final and will head into the premiership decider full of confidence.
Filo, the BFNL's Michelsen medallist in 2015, spoke glowingly about his NTFL club in his acceptance speech.
"I've been here five years at Nightcliff now, it's not really a club, it's a family," he said.
"I love coming up here, it's the best club, apart from my other home club Eaglehawk. in Bendigo.
"I would do anything for the club and they would do anything for me, that's why I keep coming back."
Filo's second Nichols Medal victory is his fourth senior league best and fairest win.
He also won the Ovens and Murray league's Morris Medal in 2018 while playing for Wodonga Raiders.
Nightcliff Football Club president Mark Dodge praised Filo for his outstanding commitment to the club and his invaluable on-field leadership.
"This is his fifth year now - we spoke to him initially about a 10-year arrangement and he was pretty keen to do that, but that's not locked in," he said.
"His five years here have certainly been excellent.
"He's sort of moved up here for most of our season, which has meant he can train with the boys, put the effort in and socialise a bit, which is obviously great for our team building. He's certainly a leader at our club.
"As people down in Bendigo would know, he has such great skills.
"Brodie would be the first to say he's not the fastest bloke, but he just knows where to get the ball and his delivery and disposal have been fantastic.
Brodie Filo in action for Eaglehawk.
"Around the club itself, because he's such an experienced guy, who has played in good football leagues for a while now, especially the younger guys really look to him for influence and he is certainly a leader in the midfield and on the backline."
Dodge confirmed gun Strathfieldsaye forward Lachlan Sharp was a 'good chance' to return for Saturday's grand final at TIO Stadium, after missing the Tigers' preliminary final win through suspension.
"He's certainly in contention and he'd be a bit unlucky if he doesn't make it," he said.
Lachlan Sharp is a chance to line up for Nightcliff in Saturday's NTFL grand final against St Mary's. Nightcliff will be aiming for back-to-back flags. Picture: GLENN DANIELS
"The games he has played for us he really has been excellent around the place and he really suits the Northern Territory style of football.
"He is prepared to get in and get the hard ball."
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