Ovens and Murray football league club Myrtleford has ramped up the heat on last season's top three after snaring 2018 Goulburn Valley best and fairest Sam Martyn.
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The Saints held their best and fairest on Saturday lunchtime, with departing star Lachie Dale claiming a second successive top gong, but there was a buzz about the boom midfielder's arrival from the O and M's neighbouring league.
"He's a left footer, he uses the ball well and has a huge engine, he's a very good player," president Ian Wales enthused.
He's a left footer, he uses the ball well and has a huge engine, he's a very good player.
- Ian Wales on Myrtleford recruit Sam Martyn
Martyn captained the Murray Bushrangers in 2012 and tackled the VFL with Werribee in 2014.
He then played in Benalla Saints' 2015 premiership and won the GV's Morrison Medal three years later, backing it up with the club best and fairest award.
Martyn played only 14 games to win the GV's top award, highlighting his ability to rack up possessions and votes.
He returned to state league level with Williamstown in 2019 and with COVID destroying the following year, he elected to sign with Benalla for last season.
Myrtleford has now added two super midfielders.
Lavington premiership coach Simon Curtis joined last month and while he can also play the 'quarterback' role in defence, the prospect of the league's best kick joining Martyn in the midfield will lift expectations the Saints can barnstorm above one of last season's top three.
The Saints finished equal on points with Wangaratta Rovers, but the latter had a superior percentage.
Wales was quizzed if Martyn will complete the club's recruiting.
"You never know, it never really stops, does it?," he suggested.
The earlier loss of livewire Dale to North Hobart is a major blow, highlighted by his best and fairest win ahead of Morris Medal top five finisher Matt Munro, who polled in 10 of 11 games at club level.
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Rhys Grant won the reserves, while Nick Ferguson captured the under 18s.
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