WAFL 2024: Swan Districts’ Nik Rokahr and Claremont’s Callan England tie for Sandover Medal

For the first time in nearly 20 years the Sandover Medal has been shared with Swan Districts star recruit Nik Rokahr and Claremont speedster Callan England named joint winners for 2024.

Rokahr held a two-vote lead heading into the final round but would not poll in the Swans’ win over Perth leaving him on 19 votes.

England would poll the maximum three votes for his 28 disposal, one-goal performance against Subiaco to draw level with Rokahr in an exciting finish to the count.

They become the first joint winners since Claremont’s Jaxon Crabb and South Fremantle’s Toby McGrath shared the medal in 2005, while their 19 votes is the lowest winning tally for a full season since 1984 using the 3-2-1 voting system.

East Perth midfielder Mitch Crowden fell one vote short of joining them on the podium with 18, while South Fremantle duo Matt Parker and 2017 winner Haiden Schloithe as well as Claremont ruckman Ollie Eastland all polled 17 votes.

Rokahr, 29, joined the Swans from Norwood this season where he was the runner-up in their SANFL’s equivalent Magarey Medal in 2023.

The midfielder polled in eight matches, including four best on grounds to become the first Swans player since Sam Fisher in 2020 to win the Sandover Medal.

Rokahr played every game in his first season at the Bassendean-based club, averaging 30 disposals, 4.6 clearances and six score involvements.

Incredibly, Rokahr polled in his first votes in round one but didn’t add to his tally until round 11.

England, 24, joins teammates Jye Bolton (2016 and 2018) and Bailey Rogers (2021) as Sandover medallists after polling in nine matches, including three best-on-grounds.

The Tiger and former West Coast rookie didn’t poll his first votes until round six but came home strongly, averaging 26 touches, five clearances and five score involvements across his 18 games.

Former West Coast midfielder Connor West led the count after the first five rounds with seven votes upon his return to West Perth, with Parker and Schloithe both on six.

Schloithe and Fremantle-listed midfielder Neil Erasmus then had a strong next five rounds to be tied on 10 votes after 10 rounds, with four players one vote behind.

Heading into the final round Rokahr had a two-vote lead ahead of Schloithe and Parker, but neither of them managed a vote in their final game of the year against West Perth.

Instead, it was England, who was tied on 16 votes with teammate Eastland, who got the three votes needed to level Rokahr and join him as a Sandover medallist.

Crowden came home strongly, polling three votes in rounds 18, 19 and 21 to fall just short of becoming the third medallist on the night.

It was a big night for Claremont with Menno Inverarity claiming the Prendergast Medal for the WAFL reserves fairest and best.

East Fremantle’s Declan Pauline won the Jack Clarke Medal as the colts best and fairest.

West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel was presented with his second-consecutive and overall, fourth Bernie Naylor Medal after kicking 56 goals in 18 games for the Falcons.

East Perth coach Ross McQueen, fresh of leading the Royals to their first grand final in a decade, was presented the JJ Leonard Medal as coach of the year.

Trent McPhee was named the bet WAFL field umpire and handed the Montgomery Medal as a result.

2024 Sandover Medal Leaderboard

Winners: Nik Rokahr (Swan Districts), Callan England (Claremont) – 19 votes

3rd – Mitch Crowden (East Perth) – 18 votes

4th – Matthew Parker (South Fremantle), Haiden Schloithe (South Fremantle), Ollie Eastland (Claremont) – 17 votes

7th – Neil Erasmus (Peel Thunder), Jye Chalcraft (Swan Districts) – 16 votes

9th – Jesse Turner (Swan Districts), Angus Schumacher (East Perth) – 15 votes

2024 WA FOOTBALL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Bernie Naylor Medal – WAFL Leading Goalkicker

Tyler Keitel (West Perth)

Prendergast Medal – WAFL Reserves Fairest & Best

Menno Inverarity (Claremont)

Jack Clarke Medal – Colts Fairest & Best

Declan Pauline (East Fremantle)

JJ Leonard Medal – Coach of the Year (selected from AFL/WAFL/WAFLW Clubs)

Ross McQueen (East Perth)

Montgomery Medal – Best WAFL Field Umpire

Trent McPhee

Rodriguez Shield – Champion Club (most H&A games won in all grades – League, Reserves, Colts and WAFLW and Rogers Cup)

Claremont Football Club

WAFC Life Member

Trevor Nisbett

WA Football Hall of Fame

Tony Buhagiar

Dale Kickett

Stan Magro

Aaron Sandilands

Hall of Fame Commemorative Recognition 1885-1945

J.S (Johnny) Campbell

L.J (Lou) Daily

Albert Gook

W.K (Paddy) Hebbard

A.H.J.C (Dolph) Heinricks

Cyril Hoft

George Keep

Jack Leckie

Herb Loel

Norman (Snowy) McIintosh

Lambert (Lam) Ogborne

Doug Oliphant

J.B (Jim) Reid

Harry Sherlock

Walter (Poet) Smith

C.H (Charlie) Tyson Snr

G.S (Tony) Tyson

Albert (Nails) Western

Charlie Ammon

Frank O’Connor