North Albany awards: 18-year-old upstages older rivals to walk away with Kangas league fairest and best

Young midfielder Talon Delacey claimed his first Sutton Medal as North Albany’s league fairest and best at their presentation night on September 30. Delacey was a dominant player for the Kangas this season, starring in his permanent midfield role and when pushed forward to kick 21 goals to enhance his stature as one of the most promising teenagers in the region. The 18-year-old claimed the Kangas’ top award after collecting 102 votes to defeat last year’s winner Nathan Crudeli on 81. Delacey was named in the middle in the Great Southern Football League Team of the Year. He also finished equal second in the Kleemann Medal and was a joint winner of the Albany Advertiser Footballer of the Year award. Returning to the Kangas this season, Addison Dew finished third on 57 votes while Regan Lloyd (36 votes) and Luke Cameron (28) rounded out the top five. Lloyd was named most valuable player, Aden Castlehow won the Cameron family best first-year player, the Liddard-Guy memorial award for best team man was awarded to Graham Ross and Harry Smith received the coaches’ award. Daniel Westthorp claimed the reserves’ fairest and best, Dawid Spangenberg took out the colts’ top honour and Kiya Jelley claimed the 16s’ fairest and best.