Harry Boyd wins 2022 Jack Oatey Medal

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood’s Harry Boyd heard the external noise questioning whether his team had a genuine ruckman at the start of the Hostplus SANFL League season.

By the time the final siren sounded in the 2022 Grand Final, with his Redlegs in front by a point, Boyd had every reason to silence the doubters in his after-match interview.

Instead, the boy from Shepparton did everything but, choosing to shine a light on his heroic teammates – particularly match-winner Matthew Panos and midfielder Nik Rokahr, who was playing under duress with a foot injury.

But the plaudits should come for the West End State ruckman, who registered an astonishing 64 hit outs while also collecting 20 disposals, seven marks (three contested) and three clearances.

The 24-year-old can also claim responsibility for tapping the ball into the path of Panos to kick the winning goal, nearly 27 minutes into the final term.

Boyd finished with 23 votes to place ahead of gutsy North Adelaide midfielder Campbell Combe on 15 and Redlegs defender Jack Heard on 8.