BARTON medallist Jaise Coleman has credited his teammates for winning the Tallangatta and District Football League’s best and fairest award.
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“I was pretty shocked,” Coleman said on Wednesday.
“I didn’t think I would get anywhere near it.
“I actually thought I had a better season when I lost to Cameron McNeill a couple of years ago.
“We have a bit stronger list this year though and you don’t have to carry as much of the workload.”
Coleman, 23, has been a tower of strength for Chiltern with his class around the ground helping the Swans into Sunday’s elimination final against Rutherglen at Sandy Creek.
He topped the count with 21 votes, three more than the TDFL’s leading goalkicker Guy Telford and Tallangatta on-baller Tim Brook.
“I was pretty nervous right to the end,” he said.
“Telford was coming pretty strong in the last few rounds.”
Coleman played his junior football for Chiltern before having a stint with reigning Ovens and Murray premier Albury.
While he has been used everywhere from the ruck to a wing, the Swan says he’s happy to play wherever coach Mark Doolan asks.
“I like going through the midfield but we have some handy midfielders,” he said.
“It’s just good playing with your mates.
“I started my career at Chiltern and, after a couple of years away, I thought I may as well finish it there.”
Chiltern, who squandered the double chance by suffering a shock loss to Mitta United last weekend, will have to regroup in a hurry against the rampant Cats.
Karl Jacka’s side has won eight of its last nine matches with the only blemish being a narrow loss to Chiltern earlier this month.
“I’m pretty confident,” he said.
“We trained well on Tuesday night and don’t have too many injury concerns.
“Rutherglen is playing good footy though.
“We match up pretty well so I think it will be a close game.”
Jacka was quick to tell his players that they had unfinished business after knocking Beechworth out of the finals race last weekend.
Jakeb Meyer and Sam Bowers are running hot in attack while Ian Kay, Marty Brennan, Chris Oats and Seamus Bromley are also in good form.
While stopping Doolan will at the top of Rutherglen’s wish list, the outcome could well come down to whether the Cats subconsciously played their final last week.
