Harry Boyd claims second Michael Taylor Medal

Ruckman Harry Boyd claimed his second Michael Taylor Medal on Friday night, taking out Norwood’s 2024 Best and Fairest vote count by 18 votes.

Playing all 20 matches for the Redlegs in 2024, Boyd finished the count on 135 votes, ahead of Runner Up Baynen Lowe (117 votes) and third placed Thomas Donnelly (86).

First year player Billy Cootee was fourth on 84, while Izaak Twelftree and Matthew Ling rounded out the top five tied on 80. View the full top 10 below.

Boyd had an outstanding season, averaging 20 disposals, 10 clearances, 116 ranking points and an astonishing 42 hitouts in a year where he won the League’s Magarey Medal, represented South Australia in the State Match against the VFL, and was recognised in The Advertiser Team of the Year.

Boyd led the League in hitouts and clearances.

Across his 79-game career at Norwood, Boyd has won a SANFL Premiership (2022), Jack Oatey Medal (2022), Magarey Medal (2024), R.O. Shearman Medal (2024), two Michael Taylor Medals (2022 & 2024), two Advertiser Team of the Year selections (2022 & 2024) and played three State Matches for South Australia.

Boyd also picked up this year’s People’s Choice Award with 108 points, as well as the League side’s FORTIS Trademark Player Award on Friday night.

“It is very special,” Boyd said after receiving his second Michael Taylor Medal.

“It’s been a challenging week (after losing the 2024 Grand Final), but I am so proud of the people at this club. There are so many special connections and special people here, so it makes me feel very privileged to be in this position.

“I was very disappointed with my 2023 season, so I attacked the 2024 season really hard and tried to improve. That’s something for our club to focus on in 2025, improvement.

“I would like to thank the playing group, it’s an honour to play with them, and to Twig (coach Jade Rawlings) our relationship has driven me to be the player that I’ve become. It’s challenging moving interstate so Twig has been a second fatherly figure in my life and I am so thankful of that.

“To the Norwood Football Club, I am so thankful that I came across to play here. It is a privilege to play here.”

Lowe also played all 20 SANFL matches for Norwood in 2024, averaging 21 disposals, four clearances, five inside 50m entries, six tackles and one goal a game. Lowe enjoyed a move from the forward line into the midfield in 2024, with he and Norwood reaping the rewards.

Donnelly was tasked with playing on the best forward every week, from small and medium forwards such as Josh Hone and Nigel Lockyer to key forwards such as Liam McBean and Aiden Grace. While stopping the forward’s impact, Donnelly was also safe with ball in hand, going at 89% disposal efficiency in the back half.

The room erupted when showing highlights of Donnelly’s memorable goal in the opening minute of the game against the Eagles in Round 19, despite starting at full back.

Donnelly also received the Garry McIntosh Best Team Man Award, while Cootee won the McCallum Trophy (Rising Star), and captain Jacob Kennerley claimed the Woods Medal. The Woods Medal takes into account a player’s contribution to the overall playing squad. Someone that performs consistently and drives standards on and off the field.

Jackson Callow was the Leading Goal kicker with 31 goals.

Alex van Wyk secured the Reserves Best and Fairest for the second consecutive season with 72 votes, ahead of three tied Runners Up in 2024 Reserves Premiership captain Xavier Tranfa, Calem Krollig and Josh Gillow all on 57 votes.

20-year-old ruckman van Wyk averaged 27 hitouts, 15 disposals, 4.5 marks and 4.5 clearances across his 19 Reserves matches in 2024.

It was nearly a four-way tie with Isaac Saywell finishing third with 56 votes, and Luke Bogle fourth on 55.

Key defender Krollig received the Reserves FORTIS Trademark Player Award.

Also announced on the night was Norwood’s SANFL Wheelchair Football Best and Fairest, which went to Michael Neroni, and Runner Up Chris Simpson. Richie Davis claimed the Coaches Award.

Paul Homann was the Club Volunteer of the Year for his incredible service to Norwood through his work predominantly within the Junior Football program, picking up and dropping players off before and after training, on top of additional game day and training tasks.

Travis Slate and Marty Faulkner claimed the Trainer of the Year Award.

The club also paid tribute to the retiring Matthew Panos at Friday night’s Club Champion Awards Evening, which was held at Hackney’s Observatory 23.