General News
6 September, 2024
Laird's bolts to Harding Medal
By GARY WALSH JUSTIN Laird said giving up the Bears Lagoon Serpentine coaching role this season played a major part in his runaway win in the Loddon Valley best-and-fairest award. Laird scored 28 votes to win the Frank Harding Medal by 10 over joint...
By GARY WALSH
JUSTIN Laird said giving up the Bears Lagoon Serpentine coaching role this season played a major part in his runaway win in the Loddon Valley best-and-fairest award.
Laird scored 28 votes to win the Frank Harding Medal by 10 over joint runners-up Ben Knight from Pyramid Hill – the 2017 winner – and Bridgewater’s gun full-forward Lachlan Sharp.
The Bears onballer told the Loddon Herald it was his best year of football: “I got a bit fitter, and after relinquishing the coaching I feel like I just went into games with a fresh mind.
“I didn’t have to worry about anything else other than my own form.”
Laird, 28, said he didn’t go into the count on Monday night with any expectations.
“I don’t think anyone does,” he said. “You just don’t know how the umpires see the game.”
Clearly the umpires saw Laird starring. He polled votes in 12 of the 16 matches, including five as best-on-ground.
He had sealed the win before the last couple of rounds were counted, so dominant was his season.
Laird hit the scoreboard too when full-forward Josh Mellington’s hamstring tear ended his season after 93 goals in nine games (and 10 medal votes).
He kicked 17 goals in three matches playing a mix of midfield and forward line.
While Serp tumbled out of the finals with a loss to Bridgewater, Bears fans can take solace in the fact that Laird will pull on the jumper again next season.
Marong’s Zach Turnbull won the John Forbes Medal as reserves best-and-fairest for the second year running. He won by six votes over teammate Tom Grant.
Turnbull has played one senior match for the Panthers this season, after two in 2023.