By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh’s Daniel Burton thought his chances of winning the Ballarat Football League’s Henderson Medal were over midway through the count on Monday night.
One of the pre count favourites for the league’s top award, Burton didn’t poll many votes early on.
Admitting he’s one who’s not afraid to say something to the umpires, Burton thought his chances were done when he wasn’t near the top early.
“There was one game where I thought it was my best game that I had ever played, but I didn’t poll,” he said.
“It was in the middle of the year. I’ve won best on ground medals in grand finals, but I thought this game was better.
“I thought it was going to be embarrassing when I don’t finish in the top 10 when everyone was talking me up.”
The ruckman though polled well in the back half of the count to get himself back into contention.
With two rounds remaining he was one vote behind former teammate, Melton’s Matt Denham.
Burton polled three votes in the second last round to take the lead by two votes.
In the final round, Bacchus Marsh and Melton played each other. It was then when Burton thought he may have done enough.
“I remember in that game giving a bit of crap to Matt, about him not getting a kick and I thought I had a relatively good game.
“If I had have lost to Matty Denham, I wouldn’t have cared as much.”
Burton polled three votes in the final round to finish on 22 votes, five clear of Denham.
Picture Damian Visentini
In his third season with the Cobras, Burton said being fit made a major difference.
“Hopefully I’ve repaid some of the faith the club has put in me,” he said.
“It makes a big difference to have two good knees and being able to move around.
“Last year I didn’t train much and I need to train to stay fit.
“I’m just happy and got my enjoyment back with footy and happy to be running around again.
Burton is just the second player to win the Henderson Medal, joining Wayne Cracknell who won the medal in 1997.
He joked that now he has won the award too, he deserves a plaque over the bar at Maddingley Park like Cracknell.
The Henderson Medal capped off a big night for Burton who also won the Ballarat Courier player of the year award.
He was the run away winner in the Ballarat Courier award, winning by 11 votes. He admits if teammate Scott Sherlock didn’t get injured, he would have likely won that award.
“He’s a freak of nature and I miss playing with him.”
Burton was also named in the team of the year, along with Cobras teammates Jake Owen, Aaron Willits and Ben Speight.
Melton coach Aaron Tymms was named coach of the year, while Bloods players Braedan Kight, Denham and Ben Archard were named in the team of the year.
Darley’s Shane Page, Darren Leonard, Steven Kennedy and Brian Graham were also named in the team.
In the netball, Bacchus Marsh coach Michael Saker was named coach of the year.
Stacey McCartin won the Sally McLean Medal as the best A-grade netballer.
