Priddis first winner of worsfold medal

Mark DuffieldThe West Australian Matt Priddis was the first winner of the John Worsfold Medal as West Coast's club champion, but it was Worsfold's night as the Eagles faithful

farewelled their dual premiership captain and 2006 premiership coach. Priddis, twice runner-up in the best and fairest, polled 373 votes to win by six from defender Eric Mackenzie (367). Key

forward Josh Kennedy was third with 363. But the biggest standing ovations at Crown's grand ballroom last night were reserved for Worsfold, who resigned in September after 12 years at

the helm. The departing coach spoke emotionally about his love for the club and its players and promised to "open his heart up" and continue to support the Eagles. Priddis, who was

also given life membership last night, said it was a privilege to win the award after it was named in Worsfold's honour. "It is a huge honour," Priddis said. "To be a

life member and to win the club champion medal named after John Worsfold, who is a guy I have admired since I was a kid, he has had a massive impact on my life on and off the field. "He

has always encouraged me to play to your strengths, don't be anyone else other than yourself. "I can't thank him enough and for this medal to be named after him is just a

massive honour. "He said tonight he is always looking to improve and better himself and open up, open up his heart - they were his words. That is nice to hear and obviously he has got

that soft, gentler side that his family will see." Priddis never dreamed he would win the award. "You always go out there trying to play consistent footy," he said. "That

is what I have always done. I was lucky enough to be on the right side of it this year and I will continue to do that for the rest of my career." West Coast used last night's

function to dedicate the coveted award to Worsfold, who resigned as senior coach in September after 12 years and 281 games at the helm. Widely regarded as the most influential person in the

club's history, Worsfold was captain in the Eagles' two premierships under Mick Malthouse in the 1990s, playing 209 games and earning All-Australian selection twice. He coached

West Coast to the 2005 and 2006 grand finals, winning the latter to become their second premiership coach. Priddis, 28, finally broke through to claim his first club champion award after

finishing second in 2010 and 2011. He has been a consistent vote getter since his AFL debut in 2006, finishing eighth in 2012. Priddis passed the 150-game milestone this year and was one of

few West Coast players to maintain form and fitness in a difficult and injury-troubled season. Priddis averaged 27 possessions, six tackles and seven clear-ances a match in a stellar 2013

season. Initially overlooked for two seasons in AFL drafts, Priddis came of age as a player in 2006, a season in which he won the Sandover Medal. Mackenzie, who played 20 games in 2013, one

fewer than Priddis, was unlucky not to claim his first club champion award after finishing so close. Kennedy, who had led the Coleman Medal for much of the season but faded in the last three

games in which he failed to kick a goal, could probably claim that a late form slump had cost him two medals as well as the possibility of All-Australian selection after finishing 10 votes

behind Priddis. Under the voting system, five members of the match committee rated each player on a scale of 1-5, meaning that an outstanding game could result in a maximum of 25 votes.

Ruckman Dean Cox (348 votes) and forward Jack Darling (330) rounded out the top five. Retired veteran Adam Selwood won the Chris Mainwaring Medal as the best clubman in 2013, and Scott

Lycett was named rookie of the year. The Eagles also honoured stalwarts Peter Souris, Chris Summers and Ken Godwin with life memberships. GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM THEWEST.COM.AU IN YOUR

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