MILAWA coach Luke Sims has backed the club’s star midfielder Jack Stamp to be a leading contender in Sunday night’s Baker Medal vote count at Wangaratta.
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Stamp has had another outstanding season after being named in the club’s best in 14 of his 17 games for the ladder-leading Demons, who will likely secure the minor premiership with victory at home against Swanpool in the last round of the season on Saturday.
Sims said Stamp, who had also booted 60 goals, was the club’s best chance to win its first league medal since Richard Bull in 2005.
“What’s in his favour is he’s kicked a few odd goals,” Sims said yesterday.
“That stuff always gets noticed.
“Last year he had a few injuries which delayed his start.
“This year he got himself really fit preseason.
“Week-in and week-out he goes to another level and he’s kicking lots of goals which is a good sign.
“He’s playing with so much confidence.”
Players likely to take votes off Stamp include Ray Ussher, Mark Scholte, Ben Clarke and Sims.
Sims also expects star King Valley recruit Adam Williams, and Whorouly forward Richard Leahy, to poll well.
Roos coach Jono Rea, who regularly polls well in the Baker Medal, said Williams was his side’s best chance of winning.
King Valley’s last Baker medallist was Steve Cooper in 2004.
“He’s had a very consistent year, Adam,” Rea said yesterday.
“The games we’ve won he’s played really well in and even the games we haven’t, I’d think he’d poll well in them as well.
“He’s mainly played on the ball.
“He’s played a bit of centre half-back at times.
“He’s so fit so he’s all over the ground.
“With his build and his size there’s no doubt he would stand out a bit.”
Other leading contenders are likely to include Whorouly’s Kyle Archibald and Liam Harrington, Greta’s Jason Humphries and Dan McLaughlin and Benalla All Blacks midfielder Daryl Webb.
Bright’s playing coach, Ryan Kent, has had an excellent season but the question mark will be whether the Mountain Men have won enough games for him to be noticed.
His teammate and two-time winner Steve Nightingale is a proven vote-getter.
Among players tipped to poll well but out of contention due to suspension include North Wangaratta duo Jamie Bell and David Steer, King Valley’s Brendan Sessions and Milawa’s Jeff Whitehead.
Outgoing Benalla All Blacks coach Ben Wapling, who turns 37 on Saturday, said he hoped Panthers star Webb polled well.
“He’s had the best year he’s ever had,” Wapling said.
“Bully (Richard Bull) seems to poll well every year and Steve Nightingale, you can never write him off.
“It seems like both Archibald and Williams have had good years.
“I’m hopeful Webby will do well.”
The medal count starts at 5.30pm on Sunday at Gateway Wangaratta.
