RUTHERGLEN star Ian Kay was disappointed rather than shattered to miss out on the Barton Medal in Monday night’s drama-charged count.
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Kay, who polled 30 votes to top the TDFL best and fairest list, was ineligible.
He was suspended for striking against Mitta United in round 15.
Beechworth captain Brenton Surrey, who polled 28 votes, was the winner.
Star Cats’ midfielder Kay, who won the club’s best and fairest awards in 2003 and 2005, admits he was bitterly disappointed not to win his first Barton Medal on the back of a season he described as his best to date.
“It would have been great to win one,” Kay said.
“It’s probably been the best I’ve had.
“But in the end, that’s footy.”
Kay, who returned to Barkly Park this year after spending four seasons with Elmore in the Heathcote and District league, found out about his medal fate via text message while laying in bed.
“I guess it was a bit annoying,” Kay said.
“I knew I was going to be a chance of being selected in the team of the year but I thought just in case, in the off chance I did win it, I would be better off not being there.
“I thought it’d be a bit easier for whoever ended up winning it.
“It would have been a bit awkward if I was just sitting there.”
The Rutherglen product said he was a 90 per cent chance of lining up for the Cats again next season.
