OFA 2024: Versatile Gnowangerup star Davis claims Les Ganzer Medal after stellar midfield season

Gnowangerup big-bodied midfielder Lewis Davis was rewarded for a stellar season for the minor premiers by being crowned the 2024 Les Ganzer medallist at Sunday’s vote count at the Borden Pavilion. The athletic and skilful Davis polled 36 votes, four more than Boxwood Hill star Hayden Richter, to be awarded the Ongerup Football Association’s fairest and best player. Lake Grace-Pingrup’s Regan Smith finished third with 26 votes, Newdegate utility Dean Rintoul was fourth on 25 and Harris Regan of Lake Grace-Pingrup rounded out the top five with 24. Previously a key forward, who if let off the chain can kick bags of goals, Davis enjoyed more midfield time this season after star key forward Timm House returned to the Kennel. Davis said he did not expect to win the prestigious award but credited his consistency and increased responsibility to his superb season for the Bulldogs. “It was a bit of surprise. . . I felt like I had a good year but at the same time, there are a lot of good players in the comp, so you never know,” Davis said. “I’ve had a bit more consistency in the midfield and midfielders get more votes sometimes. “I’m a bit older now and have a bit more leadership responsibility which drives me a fair bit to try and perform for the team.” The 25-year-old said the move into the engine room was welcomed but one that came through a rare opportunity. “I’ve certainly enjoyed it but I came at a kind of necessity when Fraser (House) got injured a couple of years ago and we had a few midfielders move away,” he said. “Now this year, with Timm (House) back forward and Connor Smallwood playing forward, it certainly gives me a lot more freedom to stay in the midfield and be around the ball a bit more. “I think (I have) good skills in general being able to move the ball around and win the ball inside. I think I have a reasonably good balance of inside and outside play.” A former Claremont player, Davis won the Upper Great Southern Football League fairest and best award in 2020 with Williams and is the brother of current Claremont defender Anthony Davis. Lake Grace-Pingrup spearhead Jackson Callope won the league’s leading goal-kicker award for the second consecutive year with 54 majors — six more than last season — 12 ahead of Jerramungup key forward Caleb Keley (42) with Gnowangerup’s Connor Smallwood third with 27. Lake Grace-Pingrup stalwart Luke Bairstow received life membership to the OFA at the awards. The Ongerup hockey and netball associations were also in attendance on the day to award their season’s top honours. Jerramungup’s Claire McIntyre took out the Ongerup Netball Association’s A-grade best and fairest with 33 votes, with Lauren Duckworth of Lake Grace-Pingrup finishing runner-up with 30 votes. Lake Grace-Pingrup star Tayah Medlen won the Ongerup Hockey Association fairest and best for the second straight year and was the highest goal-scorer and Ashlee Danvers of Newdegate was runner-up.