GSFL 2023: Four votes in final three rounds seal Albany Advertiser Football of the Year gong for Jayden Scott

Tough inside midfielder Jayden Scott was rewarded for his superb season, winning the 2023 Albany Advertiser Footballer of the Year award on Monday night. Railways’ Scott finished six votes clear of Albany star Isaac Baum in the final standings after the votes for the last three rounds of the home-and-away season were announced at the Kleemann Medal presentations. The media award is voted on during the regular season in the Great Southern Football League and Scott took a slender two-vote advantage into the final three rounds when voting went silent. Scott led on 15 ahead of Baum (13 votes) and Tigers’ Joel Want (11) after 12 rounds of voting. In round 13 Scott collected one vote in his side’s loss to Royals while Baum remained sidelined with a knee injury. Scott then was judged best afield in the Tigers’ narrow loss to the Sharks in round 14, moving six votes of Baum who made his comeback from injury. Baum and Scott both didn’t poll in the final round, handing the win to the 24-year-old Tigers gun. He enjoyed a brilliant season in the middle for the Tigers, helping them to a top two finish with his damaging left foot and clearance work a highlight while also kicking nine goals. Scott missed only one game in the regular season and finished with 19 votes to defeat Baum (13), who played 12 of a possible 15 matches. Want and Mt Barker defender Darcy Wallinger were next with 11 while Bulls’ Daniel Patching and Tigers’ Logan Stubber also reached double figures with 10 votes. After each league game Advertiser reporters covering that game give 3-2-1 votes for the award. 2023 Albany Advertiser Football of the Year - final leaderboard 19: Jayden Scott (RAIL) 13: Isaac Baum (ALB) 11: Joel Want (RAIL) Darcy Wallinger (MB) 10: Daniel Patching (MB) Logan Stubber (RAIL) 9: Bryce Blaszkow (ALB) Stephen Beal (ROY) Kane Shephard (RAIL) 8: Matt Orzel (NA) Brett Peake (ALB) Bodhi Stubber (RAIL) Zack Jackson (MB) 7: Kane Pinney (ALB) Jyrin Woods (NA) Joel Flick (ROY) 6: Jack Beeck (ALB) Beau Ewen (RAIL) Robbie Lee (ALB) Taj Williams (ALB)