Harry Boyd wins 2024 R. O. Shearman Medal

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood’s Harry Boyd has had his tremendous 2024 campaign fittingly rewarded, becoming the first Redleg in 11 years to win the R.O Shearman Medal.

Widely-regarded as the standout ruckman in the Hostplus SANFL League this season, the Redlegs giant polled 109 votes to hold off Sturt midfielder Will Snelling on 101.

Heading into Round 19, Snelling had the opportunity to leapfrog Boyd with a perfect 10 but failed to attract a vote from the coaches while Boyd gathered one from his last outing against the Eagles.

The 2022 Jack Oatey Medallist posted eye-popping averages of 21 disposals, 10 clearances, four tackles and 41 hit outs across his 18 matches in 2024.

Boyd is just the second Norwood player to win the R.O Shearman Medal, joining Matt Thomas in 2013.

Fellow Redleg Baynen Lowe placed third with 76 votes, ahead of North Adelaide’s Campbell Combe on 65.

North Adelaide’s James Allan has dominated the award, claiming a record six R. O Shearman Medals, including one with Sturt’s Jade Sheedy in 2008.

Voted on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis by the SANFL coaches during the minor round, the R. O Shearman Medal voting appears weekly on the SANFL website.

Introduced in 2000, the medal is named after five-time Sturt premiership player and SA Football Hall of Fame member Bob Shearman.