Harry Boyd & Will Snelling honoured at Magarey Grove

Norwood Premiership ruckman Harry Boyd has been honoured at the SANFL’s Magarey Grove, with his 2024 Magarey Medal plaque unveiled at the northern end of Adelaide Oval.

Boyd tied the 2024 Magarey Medal count with Sturt’s Will Snelling, and the plaque (which as both names embroidered) was unveiled on Tuesday morning.

Snelling and his family was in attendance, while Boyd was unable to attend due to his training commitments with new team St Kilda in Melbourne. Boyd was recruited to the AFL club at the conclusion of his incredible 2024 season.

Norwood Football Club General Manager of Football Richard Kelly unveiled the plaque on Boyd’s behalf.

SA Football Commission Chair Rob Kerin congratulated Boyd and Snelling who each polled 34 Votes on Magarey Medal night in September.

“Magarey Grove was unveiled at Adelaide Oval in 2018 as a tribute to the winners of Australian football’s oldest medal,” he said.

“It features a plaque for every medal winner since 1898 and is a natural extension of the virtual museum in Adelaide Oval. Having Magarey Grove located at Adelaide Oval ensures the future generations can continue walk here amongst the greats of our game.

“We are very pleased to have the latest installments of Magarey Grove, with 2024 Magarey Medallists Harry Boyd and Will Snelling etched in football history.

“Harry was a dominant giant in the ruck for the Redlegs, and Will was a ball magnet for the Double Blues. They were highly deserving Medallists, and they enjoyed sharing the honour.

“Everyone wishes Harry the best at St Kilda, he was a very popular member of the competition.”

Boyd was the first ruckman to with the Magarey Medal since Port Adelaide’s Ryan O’Connor in 2001, and the first Norwood player to win the award since Mitch Grigg’s back to back medals in 2017 and 2018.

Boyd had an amazing season in 2024, playing all 20 matches, averaging 41 hitouts, 20 disposals, 10 clearances, 116 ranking points and four tackles. He recorded 224 more hitouts and 58 more clearances than anyone else in the competition in a dominant campaign.

He represented South Australia in the State match against the VFL in April, was named in The Advertiser’s Team of the Year and won the League’s R.O Shearman Medal which is voted by SANFL coaches.

Boyd won his second Michael Taylor Medal (Norwood Best and Fairest) in 2024 and was recruited to St Kilda’s AFL list at the conclusion of the season.

He concludes his time at Norwood after 79 games as a Premiership Player, Jack Oatey Medalist, two-time Michael Taylor Medallist, Magarey Medallist, R.O Shearman Medallist, two-time Team of the Year honours, and three-time State representative.

“Unfortunately I can’t be there today but I just wanted to say a big thank you to the SANFL for putting on today but also for the plaque,” Boyd said via video link at Tuesday’s ceremony.

“To be able to look back in in years to come and share a plaque with Will Snelling at Adelaide Oval will be with something very special

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the SANFL and the Norwood Football Club for opening up so many opportunities for me throughout my time in South Australia. It was a great time and the SANFL’s a great competition.