Chiltern's Brad Hibberson looms as leading Barton medal fancy

Hibberson recently won the Swans' best and fairest after a stellar season in the midfield.

Remarkably Hibberson came out of retirement this season after three years on the sidelines with a wrist injury.

The tough as nails midfielder was instrumental in the Swans sitting second on the ladder when the season was cancelled.

Chiltern coach Luke Brookes rated Hibberson as a huge chance to win the league's highest individual honour.

"Brad has to be a big chance to win the Barton medal," Brookes said.

"We only dropped two matches all season and he was clearly our best player.

"He had an outstanding season.

"Brad is hard and tough at the contest and wins his own football and has the ability to hit the scoreboard.

"We did the stats against Beechworth and he had 42 touches and kicked six goals so I would be surprised if the didn't get the three votes.

"There's no doubt he would be a deserving winner."

Hibberson played in 10 out of a possible 11 matches.

Thurgoona midfielder Michael Rampal could be Hibberson's biggest threat.

Similar to Hibberson, Rampal recently won the Bulldogs' best and fairest award.

The solidly built Rampal also has a kamikaze attack on the football which no doubt would have caught the umpires attention.

The biggest knock against Rampal taking home the medal could be that the Bulldogs only won five of 11 matches.

Brookes is a big fan of the Bulldogs' midfield wrecking ball.

"Rampal is a terrific player," Brookes said.

"The query is that Thurgoona didn't win as many games which makes it a bit tougher to poll maximum votes.

"But he certainly stands out and can win his own footy.

"Thurgoona didn't have their proven vote getters in Jayden Kotzur and Sam Cross play this year.

"So Michael could benefit there because he was the consistent player that stood out for the Bulldogs."

ALSO IN SPORT

Several coaches also rate Tallangatta ruckman Scott Spencer a big chance to claim back-to-back medals.

Spencer was a dominant winner in 2019.

He will be striving to become the first player to win consecutive medals since Barnawartha's Cam McNeill (2013-14).

Tallangatta's Joel O'Connell and Yackandandah's Josh Garland are also expected to poll well.

KADE BROWN

(Thurgoona)

Roughie: Josh Kable (DMB)

LUKE BROOKES

(Chiltern)

Roughie: James Hanrahan (Rutherglen)

JACKSON HEAGNEY-STEART

(Mitta United)

Roughie: Luke Hodgkin (Mitta)

TYSON SMITH

(Tallangatta)

Roughie: Josh Kable (DMB)

BRENTON SURREY

(Beechworth)

Roughie: Cam Fendyke (Beechworth)

ZACK PLEMING

(Wodonga Saints)

Roughie: Josh Garland (Yackandandah)

DARREN HOLMES

(Yackandandah)

Roughie: Kayde Surrey (Beechworth)

ADAM MUDRA

(Kiewa Sandy Creek)

Roughie: Jack Russell (Tallangatta)

DAMIEN JONES

(Dederang-Mt Beauty)

Roughie: Jack Russell (Tallangatta)

STEVE OWEN

(Rutherglen)

Roughie: Michael Rampal

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