Norwood’s Harry Boyd, 2024 Magarey Medallist

Norwood ruckman Harry Boyd has taken out the 2024 Magarey Medal as the SANFL’s Best and Fairest Player, in a tie with Sturt’s Will Snelling.

Boyd and Snelling each finished the count on 34 votes after the 19-round home and away season.

Boyd – who became the 13th individual Norwood Magarey Medallist – had 200 more hitouts and 50 more clearances than anyone else in the SANFL competition in 2024.

In an incredibly dominant season, Boyd averaged 20.7 disposals, 41.5 hitouts and 10 clearances across his 18 matches in 2024.

Boyd was the first ruckman to win the Magarey Medal since 2001, when Port Adelaide’s Ryan O’Connor drew with teammate Tony Brown.

“It’s a great honour,” Boyd told The Advertiser’s Andrew Capel.

“Midfielders catch the eye of the umpires in every competition, but being a ruckman I am in the middle of the ground, get to a lot of contests, a lot of stoppages and that’s probably what I base my game on.

“It’s very special and a reflection of a lot of hard work, not only from myself but the team and the Norwood Football Club.”

The 26-year-old has played 78 matches for Norwood since relocating to South Australia from Shepparton in Victoria ahead of the 2021 season.

His time in red and blue now includes the 2022 Premiership, 2022 Michael Taylor Medal (Norwood Best and Fairest), 2022 Jack Oatey Medal, 2024 Magarey Medal, 2024 R.O Shearman Medal, The Advertiser Team of the Year selections and multiple State Games for South Australia.

He will have a chance to add a second flag to his resume when Norwood plays in the 2024 SANFL Grand Final on Sunday, September 22.

Boyd started Monday night’s vote count strongly with two best on ground performances in rounds 1 and 2 against Sturt and Glenelg at The Parade to take an early lead over Snelling.

The Double Blues midfielder didn’t record any votes against Norwood in Round 1, but went on to poll in 10 consecutive matches to take a five-vote lead over Boyd at Round 13 (27-22).

Snelling missed two matches following the passing of his father, but returned in Round 15 and recorded votes in the following three matches to make it 34 after Round 17.

Boyd recorded three votes in Round 18 to tie with Snelling on 34. Both players didn’t poll a vote in the final round to share the Medal.

Boyd polled in 14 of his 18 matches, including eight 3-vote Best on Grounds.

Snelling polled in 13 of his 16 matches, with eight Best on Grounds.

West Adelaide’s Kobe Ryan finished third with 27 votes, and former winner North Adelaide’s Campbell Combe fourth on 23.

Last year’s winner Harry Grant was equal fifth on 20, while Norwood’s Baynen Lowe finished equal sixth on 15 votes.

Boyd also took home the 2024 R.O Shearman Medal on Monday night, an award voted on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis by the SANFL coaches during the minor round season.

Snelling was Runner Up in the R.O Shearman Medal, with the Sturt midfielder claiming 101 votes and Boyd 109.

On the same night, former Redleg and 2022 Norwood premiership player Nik Rokahr won the WAFL’s 2024 Sandover Medal for Swan Districts.

By Josh Teakle NFC