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Richly talented Sturt on-baller Luke Crane last night engraved his name among the champions of the SANFL when he was crowned the 2008 Magarey Medallist.
The diminutive rover maintained the dominance of midfielders when he polled 22 votes to claim the competition's most prestigious individual honour.
South Adelaide youngster James Boyd stunned the count when he finished just three votes behind Tasmanian-raised Crane while Glenelg's hard-working Ty Allen was third, a vote further back.
Crane is the 16th player from the Double Blues to be recognised for his brilliance with the Medal.
He is the first since 2002 when Jade Sheedy and Tim Weatherald tied for the honour. That is also the year of Sturt's most recent premiership.
Surprisingly, Sheedy could manage no better than tied for 16th last night with just eight votes while Weatherald finished one vote higher after quitting Sturt for Norwood in May.
"I did not think I would poll that well at all – last year was more consistent," a humble Crane said.
"I'd like to thank Sturt for getting me down here (from Queensland). When they brought me down here for a look I knew straight away I wanted to be here. It is the best decision I have made in my life."
Last night's triumph confirms the incredible impact Crane has had on the state league after last year being lured from Queensland club Zillmere where he won three best and fairest awards.
Reflecting an outstanding debut season in the superior competition, Crane was last year named as Sturt's club champion. He also accumulated 14 votes in the 2007 Magarey to finish in a share of second, just five behind North Adelaide's James Allan.
This season Crane, who was also wooed by Woodville-West Torrens and Central District before opting to play at Unley, continued to combine his electrifying pace, tremendous skills and ball-winning ability to inflict immense damage on opponents.
Appearing in all 20 minor-round games, Crane amassed 445 possessions – 296 kicks and 149 handballs – at an average of 22 per match.
He took 71 marks and bagged 20 goals. His significant contribution to Sturt was rewarded with selection in the state team which smashed the VFL at Adelaide Oval in May.
Crane set the season alight from the opening round when he was awarded top votes in the comfortable win over Norwood, the Double Blues opponent in the first semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Umpires also considered him best on ground in three other games while he earned two votes in another five.
Boyd's prominence in the Medal count is an indication of his rapid progress in only his second season of league football.
The 2005 McCallum Medallist as the leading player in the under-17 competition, Boyd has been a prolific ball winner this season.
Woodville-West Torrens captain Mark McKenzie went into the count among the favourites but finished tied eighth. Port Adelaide Magpies' Jeremy Clayton, the 2005 Medallist, capped another superb season with 15 votes to finished seventh.
James Allan was tied fourth with 16 votes while Tiger and 2006 Medallist Brett Backwell finished tied with Sheedy.
The top three – Crane, Boyd and Allen – all polled more votes than West Adelaide (17) while Boyd earned half the votes allotted to South Adelaide.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Warren Partland
FINAL COUNT
Click here for the full medal count including club by club
Courtesy of the Advertiser