William Leitch Medal

The William Leitch Medal, named after the highly regarded former Australian rules player and Tasmanian Football Administrator William Douglas Leitch (1863–1943), was an annual award which was presented to the best and fairest player in the TANFL/TFL Statewide League.

At various times prior to 1930 and between 1935 and 1939 the TFL award was known by other names. From 1942 to 1944 the competition was suspended due to World War Two. Following the collapse of both the Tasmanian Football League (TFL) in 1998 and its replacement competitions (the TSFL in 1999 and the SWL in December 2000), the award was suspended until its revival in 2004, awarded to the best and fairest player in the SFL Premier League and from 2009, awarded to the best and fairest player in the SFL.

Winners by year

Albert Collier won the inaugural William Leitch Medal in 1931

William Leitch Medal Winners: TFL Statewide League (1986–2000)

William Leitch Medal Winners: SFL & SFL Premier League (2001-2003)

  • 2001 – Damien Dillon (Cygnet) - Medal Awarded Retrospectively
  • 2002 – Matthew Jones (New Norfolk) - Medal Awarded Retrospectively
  • 2003 – Brendon Bolton (North Hobart) - Medal Awarded Retrospectively

William Leitch Medal Winners: SFL Premier League (2004–2008) & SFL (2009–Present)

  • 2004 – Brock Ackerley (New Norfolk) & – Roger Belcher (New Norfolk)
  • 2005 – David Newett (Glenorchy)
  • 2006 – Jesse Crouch (Glenorchy)
  • 2007 – Roger Belcher (New Norfolk)
  • 2008 – Shane Piuselli (Glenorchy)
  • 2009 – Roger Belcher (New Norfolk)
  • 2010 – James Lange (Huonville Lions)
  • 2011 – Nathan Ross (New Norfolk)
  • 2012 – Michael Thompson(New Norfolk)
  • 2013 – Nathan Ross (New Norfolk)
  • 2014 – Caden Wilson (New Norfolk)
  • 2015 – Nathan Brown (Claremont)
  • 2016 – Troy Cunliffe (Lindisfarne)
  • 2017 – Troy Cunliffe (Lindisfarne)
  • 2018 – Jarrod Lawler (Huonville Lions)
  • 2019 – Mitch Walker (Claremont)
  • 2020 – Ethan Brock (Huonville Lions)
  • 2021 – Thor Boscott (Cygnet)
  • 2022 – Josh Green (Lindisfarne)
  • 2023- Darcy Gardner (Brighton) & Sheldon Smith (Lindisfarne)
  • 2024- Sheldon Smith (Lindisfarne)

References

  1. ^ "Southern Tasmanian – Best & Fairest Award Winners 1925 – 2018".
  2. ^ "FOOTBALL". The Mercury. Vol. CXXXIII, no. 19, 703. Tasmania, Australia. 30 September 1930. p. 10. Retrieved 7 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Southern Tasmanian – Best & Fairest Award Winners 1925 – 2018".
  4. ^ http://pathartnett.net.au/pat_history/best-fairest-a ward-winners-1925-2016/