GSFL 2024: Denmark-Walpole young gun Ryan Hick wins 2024 Warrick Proudlove Medal after dominating vote count

Rising Denmark-Walpole midfielder Ryan Hick was a runaway winner in the Warrick Proudlove Medal count on Tuesday night after amassing 32 votes to be named best and fairest in the 16s competition. Hick, who was also second in the Great Southern Football League 16s goal kicker standings with 39 majors, was named best on ground in eight games and polled in 11 of his 14 to clinch the honour. The rising star also played four matches for the Magpies’ league side this season. He finished a staggering 10 votes clear of Railways gun Robert Farmer in second (22 votes), and Albany’s James Taylor was third with 20 votes. Tigers’ Bailin Curtis (18) finished fourth, while Royals’ Elijah Williams and North Albany pair Luke Pickering and Regan Christensen were tied for fifth with 13 votes. Hick said it was incredibly rewarding to be recognised as the competition’s best player. “I thought I’d be up there, but I didn’t think I’d go that well,” he said. “There’s a few blokes who had a really good year but it’s good to get the reward. “I work hard at training, and I love footy and I love playing.” While admitting it was satisfying to win the gong, Hick said his eye was firmly on a premiership. “It’s always good to get recognition but I’m all about the team, and hopefully we’ll go well in the finals,” Hick said. “We have been the second-best team all year and Railways have been the best, and we have got them this weekend. “Hopefully we can knock them off, have a week off and go all the way.” Christensen won the 16s leading goal kicker award, booting 41 majors in the regular season. The Tigers and the Magpies will square off in the qualifying final at Retravision Stadium on Saturday for a spot in the decider, and the Lions and Sharks will put their seasons on the line in the elimination final on Sunday at Tigerland, with both games set for 9.10am.