It's an exciting time of the season for South West Football League followers.
Not only are the finals well and truly underway, but the Hayward medal count is now less than a week away.
It’s crunch time for spectators to get their picks in order and place their bets.
Unlike last year’s count in which Donnybrook big man Jeff Smith ran away with his second Hayward medal, this time around promises to be a tight affair among the favourites.
It could easily go down to the last round this year.
Many of the main candidates are placed in good sides where many players will pole votes at different times.
So here are my top five choices and why I’m choosing them.
Lawler has had a great season in the midfield for the Panthers and was a vital cog in them finishing in the top four.
Despite still being eligible for the Parks Centre Rising Star award, Lawler has stood out among the physical midfielders among the competition.
Even more impressive is that Lawler stands out in a very talented midfield.
You would think surrounded by names like David Roche, Viv Blurton, Chris Rintoul and Reese Richardson that Lawler might be shadowed a little, but that isn’t the case.
His on field leadership is outstanding for a player so young and there is something “Joel Selwood-ish” about him.
Lawler won’t have many teammates take votes off him and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish higher than fifth.
The 2010 Hayward medallist, Gribble has had another terrific season leading the Bulldogs.
In a midfield that lacks the speed possessed by others, Gribble is an x-factor player that can be relied on in every match.
Umpires would tend to notice gribble for his damaging ability to gain ground.
Gribble’s brand of football reminds me a lot of Fremantle Docker Nat Fyfe.
His ability to read the ball from the centre bounce and kick it directly into his forward line is second to none.
Unfortunately he will be contesting with many teammates when collecting votes.
McGinlay has had a stellar year and is a serious contender to finish first in this accolade.
The Busselton midfielder is placed quite similarly to Lawler heading into this year’s count.
Both are supported by great midfields but both won’t have votes taken from them.
McGinlay earned the rights to captain the South West Landmark side and went on to play in the state country carnival – receiving many best on ground rewards.
More often than not McGinlay has lifted his side to victory and his consistency is a huge asset.
Another factor that swings in his favour heading into the count is that he hasn’t missed as much games as some other candidates may have.
Parker’s first season in the South West Football League has been absolutely outstanding.
With Bunbury ruckman Jacob Williams missing from the line-up for a number of games, Parker took the reins in the position and performed admirably.
He also booted 55 goals for the year.
Being a big, structural player making a difference in big marking situations won’t hurt his chances when it comes to being noticed either.
It’s easy to see the difference Parker makes to the Bunbury outfit and the simple hype around him makes him noticeable.
Parker has every chance of claiming the medal, but having Jesse Gribble, Marc Re, Jordan Adamson-Holmes, Sam Miles, Grady Byrne and Ryan Sheehan in your side won’t help your vote chances.
Now I’ve been receiving cock-eyed looks from everyone when I tell them that Brett Robinson is my choice for the 2014 Hayward medal.
But consider this – Robinson had dominated midfields, his team has dominated other teams, and he kicked 43 goals this season.
That’s right, you didn’t read that wrong, a small bodied midfielder finished with 43 majors.
Unlike Gribble, Lawler and McGinlay who all play an in and under brand of football, Robinson has an incredible ability to lose his opponent in traffic and receive kicks and handballs wide open.
He runs for four quarters and his ball use is the best I’ve seen from anyone in my time following the league.
Robinson’s only threat when it comes to claiming the Hayward is his teammates.
When players like Brynn Francis, Leigh Kohlmann or Adam Hunter kick bags of goals Robinson may have to take the passenger seat.
Fellow midfielders like Matt Giacci, Damon Bull and Dylan Harper could also take votes from Robinson.
Nonetheless, he is my number one South West Football League player for 2014 and this is my top five.
Tuesday night will tell me if I will glorify in my choices or rue them.
