Thurgoona's Michael Rampal wins Barton medal after late season flurry

Rated one of the leading fancies heading into the count, Rampal looked to have little chance of winning the medal after only polling four votes in the first seven rounds of the 11-round season.

Trailing early leader Scott Spencer by six votes with four rounds remaining, Rampal produced a near flawless month of football.

The Bulldogs' midfield wrecking ball polled three votes in three consecutive rounds to storm to second place on the leaderboard.

Heading into the final round, Rampal had 13 votes to trail Spencer by one.

Rampal clinched the unlikely victory with two votes in the final home and away match to finish on 15 while Spencer failed to poll.

Spencer was the reigning medallist and narrowly failed to join the likes of Hugh Giltrap, Laurie McInnes, Brett Harrison and Cameron McNeill as the most recent back-to-back winners.

Dederang-Mt Beauty captain Josh Kable polled maximum votes in the last home and away match to finish equal runner-up with Spencer on 14.

Pre-count favourite Brad Hibberson and Barnawartha forward Josh Spence both polled 11 votes to round out the top-five.

Rampal admitted he was surprised to win the medal after struggling to capture the attention of the umpires during the early rounds.

"I was surprised to win after I failed to poll well early and was nowhere in the hunt," Rampal said.

"I consider myself as a defensive mid and I don't really cheat forward and kick goals like the midfielders that usually win these awards.

"But I'll take the win that's for sure.

"To be honest, this award is all about representing Thurgoona.

"They have been great to me, it's a great club and we have had some great success.

"I've made some lifelong mates at the club that I will cherish and I see this as a team medal and not an individual medal."

Rampal is only the second Bulldog to win the award.

He joins premiership teammate Jayden Kotzur who tied with Rutherglen's Jarrad Farwell in 2016.

At 36, Rampal is one of the oldest winners of the prestigious medal.

Rampal said his body coped well with the rigours of the season.

"Personally I felt pretty good this year and being mature age you tend to worry about the general soreness," he said.

"People that know me might say that I take my footy a bit too serious for the league that we are playing in.

"But to win the medal at my age is something that I'm extremely proud of.

"I missed one match due to an impact injury but other than that I felt pretty good.

"Losing players the calibre of Jayden Kotzur, Josh Maher and Sam Cross over the off season obviously helped me stand out a bit more than usual.

"But I'd rather be part of a great team than be an individual and win these sort of accolades.

"Thurgoona has given that to me over the past few seasons and we have been quite successful.

"I'd swap this for a premiership medallion any day.

"But unfortunately nobody was able to play finals this year and this was the only silverware up for grabs and I am proud to have won it."

Both Rampal and Spencer polled in seven matches, winning best on ground honours on three occasions.

In somewhat of an anomaly, Yackandandah players failed to capture the attention of the umpires despite claiming the minor premiership with a 10-1 record.

Ben McIntosh and David Price were the highest polling Roos with six votes each.

Rampal relocated from Melbourne to the Border in 2017 and joined Thurgoona.

Incredibly he hadn't played football for the previous 11 seasons.

He quickly established himself in the Bulldogs' midfield and instantly won the respect of his teammates with his fearless attack on the ball.

Rampal was the hard luck story of the 2017 flag triumph over Kiewa-Sandy Creek after he broke his jaw and was forced to miss the decider.

He played in the losing grand final the following season against the Hawks.

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Rampal finally tasted the ultimate success in 2019 when the Bulldogs steamrolled Barnawartha in the grand final.

The ripped midfielder won the Bulldogs' best and fairest this season.

Rampal is the first to admit he is a 'competitive beast' and didn't rule out having a crack at the higher standard of the O&M next year.

"I love the competitive side of football and that's what motivates me to keep playing," he said.

"My game plan is involved around being a defensive midfielder and I'm probably the No. 1 in the side for score involvements without hitting the scoreboard myself.

"When I joined Thurgoona, I hadn't played football for more than 10-years and it was more about meeting new people than playing footy.

"But I caught the bug and playing football got the competitive juices flowing again.

"It's been flattering to be have been previously contacted by O&M clubs about testing myself at the higher standard.

"My personal circumstances prevented me to committing to the higher level the past couple of years.

"But I haven't ruled out having a crack next year, I haven't ruled out anything to be honest and I will assess all that in the lead-up to the Christmas break."

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