SANFL Grand Final: Sensational Schmidty – Leads West To SANFL Holy Grail

 

By Peter Argent

 

The lad that grew up in the small out-of-the -way town of Robertstown, famous for its bush Bradman, John L Mosey, is now the toast of SANFL football.

Located 23 kilometres north of Eudunda, in the Regional Council of Goyder, this hamlet is hour and three quarter drive north of Adelaide, with the town and surrounding district having a population of 300.

Its remoteness is well explained, as the “World’s End Highway” is just a few kilometres north of the settlement.

West Adelaide captain and Robertstown export Chris Schmidt delivered when it counted the most, producing Jack Oatey medal winning 44-possession game in the 2015 Grand Final to lead his side to a drought breaking premiership.

 

Chris Schmidt breaks from the pack to send West into attack once more (pic: Peter Argent)

Chris Schmidt breaks from the pack to send West into attack once more (pic: Peter Argent)

 

Schmidt lifted the premiership cup with coach Mark Mickan for the West Adelaide Football Club’s first league premiership in 32 years.

Slight underdogs going into the game against minor premiers the Eagles, the Bloods kicking the first two goals of the contest and while the margin was only eight points at half time, they never conceded the lead for the entirety of the match.

The final score was West Adelaide 11.12 (78) defeating Woodville West Torrens 7.6 (48).

 

West Adelaide players celebrate a drought-breaking SANFL Premiership. (pic: Peter Argent)

West Adelaide players celebrate a drought-breaking SANFL Premiership. (pic: Peter Argent)

 

“The reward for a season of hard work was seen on Grand Final day,” Schmidt said after the game.

“We were fresh and ready to go, and it showed despite playing in each of the four weeks of the finals, while the Eagles played only one game in 28 days going into the decider.

“As a captain you want to perform in big game and I thought there was even contribution across the squad.

“Everyone said the third term was the premiership quarter and I though the group stood up. (Schmidt had 12 touches in this quarter alone.)

“I had no idea I collected 44 touches and yes that is a career best performance.

“It is a great honour to have come from Robertstown and the support you receive from where it all started is amazing.

“To get the premiership with guys like Daniel Caire and Adam Hartlett who I played with at junior level was very special.

“This is a victory for not only playing group, but for the coaching staff and the people around the club, along with the many supporters who have hung tough through then 32 years since the 1983 success.”

 

Congratulations all around as West Adelaide celebrate their 2015 SANFL win

Congratulations all around as West Adelaide celebrate their 2015 SANFL win. (pic: Peter Argent)

 

Schmidt was considered unlucky not to play more than 20 games at AFL level with Brisbane and Adelaide, was simply phenomenal for this club in the 2015 season decider at Adelaide Oval.

His 44 disposals included 19 kicks and 25 handballs, along with 10 marks, five tackles, and six clearances.

With fellow half back, Jason Porplyzia, this pair was the stand outs in the contest, racking up an amazing 80 touches between them.

 

Chris Schmidt and Jason Proplyzia hold aloft the coveted 2015 SANFL Premiership Cup

Chris Schmidt and Jason Proplyzia hold aloft the coveted 2015 SANFL Premiership Cup

 

Schmidt following 2008 Jack Oatey Medal winner, Jason Mackenzie from Central District as local products who has won the SANFL highest accolade in the most important match of the season.

He is no stranger to delivering on the biggest day as he proved in 2013.

In the Foxtel Cup Grand Final, Schmidt, who collected 26 disposals and nine clearances, awarded the Coles Medal, as the best on ground in that contest as well.

 

Chris Schmidt with his Jack Oatey medal. (pic: Peter Argent).

Chris Schmidt with his Jack Oatey medal. (pic: Peter Argent).

 

Last year new coach Mark Mickan elevated Schmidt to the captaincy role at Milner Road.

For the minor premiers, the Eagles it was a day of frustration.

 

FAST FACTS

* Schmidt was a talented junior tennis player in his youth

* His older brother Nick, a regular SA country footballer played in three successive flags at Tanunda from 2009.

* His cousin – Tim played 36 AFL games with the Sydney Swans and won the 2002 Kevin Sheehan medal at the National under 16s championship

* Tim’s brother Sam was also a SANFL league footballer at West Adelaide a decade ago and won a Mail medal playing with Mintaro-Manoora in 2005 in the NEFL.

* The boy’s parents Mickey (Nick and Chris’s dad) and Lindsay (Sam and Tim’s father) were long time stalwarts of the Robertstown Football Club

* The late Lindsay (known through the district as Foxy) won three Mail medals in the 1960s and 1970s.

 

 

JACK OATEY MEDAL VOTING
Chris Schmidt (West) – 17 (out of the possible 18)
Jason Porplyzia (West) – 13
Travis Tuck (West) – 2
Kaine Stevens (West) – 2
Brad Helbig (West) – 1
Michael Wundke (Eagles) – 1

 

Comments

  1. Manny Koufalakis says

    From a Redlegs supporter well done Westies.
    After a 32 year drought it must feel fantastic
    Enjoy the celebrations. You are now the measuring stick of the SANFL.
    Excellent game to watch between 2 pure SANFL sides and good for footy.
    Go Bloods!!

  2. Good stuff, Peter – great to see Westies get up. Matthew Panos last year another locally produced Jack Oatey Medallist in recent times.

  3. Malcolm Ashwood says

    Thanks Peter yes the Moseys are certainly famous re Robertstown. Schmidt and Porps were certainly the stand out players full credit to the Bloods ending their 32 year drought.

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