EVEN with the shiny 2014 Hayward Medal around his neck, Bunbury Bulldog Jesse Gribble has told the Bunbury Mail that his thoughts remain solely on helping his side make this year’s grand final.
Having captured his second Hayward Medal with a two-vote victory over South Bunbury’s Brett Robinson in a thrilling count, Gribble said his focus remains on this week’s preliminary final against Eaton.
“My main focus is getting into and winning a grand final with Bunbury,” he said.
“I would 100 per cent trade the Hayward Medal for it.”
Gribble polled votes in 12 of the 18 rounds including five best on grounds.
Robinson ran a close second after poling just three votes in the first seven rounds before coming home strong with three votes in rounds 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 18 to finish with a tally of 25.
Eaton’s Chris Atthowe and Josh Bowe tied for third on 21 while Carey Park’s Brayden Lawler polled 20 votes to finish fourth.
South Bunbury’s Shaun Crane was a surprise package gaining 14 votes while Busselton captain Daniel McGinlay tallied 13.
Gribble’s teammates Marc Re (12) and Aidan Parker (11) did themselves proud without stealing too many points from the eventual winner.
"I would 100 per cent change the Hayward Medal for a win this weekend."
- 2014 Hayward Medalist Jesse Gribble from the Bunbury Football Club.
Gribble’s win comes from consistently putting in strong performances which stem from his efforts on the training track.
“We had a really good preseason and the guys at Denning Boxing helped us out a lot,” Gribble said.
This season is the first in many that Gribble has been able to play every game and it has shown with his side’s success.
It was fantastic to see the room on their feet to toast a true champion of the South West Football League.
