As the 2013 TAC Cup finals series heats up, the players had a chance to take their mind off the game for a night as the prestigious Morrish Medal award ceremony took place at Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.

Remarkably, there was a four-way tie for first place, with hot tip Lewis Taylor surprisingly not one of those winners. Bendigo’s Jacob Chisari, Gippsland’s Josh Scott, Eastern’s Ben Cavarra and Geelong’s George Cameron all finished up with 16 votes each. Bound For Glory News’ Peter Williams and Jourdan Canil spoke exclusively to Chisari, Scott and Cavarra after they received their medals.

In equal second place were Eastern’s Christian Petracca, Murray’s Michael Gibbons, Northern’s Josh Turner and Oakleigh’s Jay Kennedy-Harris.

Chisari has been overlooked constantly throughout the year. Despite being named in the bests in 13 of his 15 games, he failed to make the Vic Country squad, national combine or state combine. Scott was the biggest winner on the night. Having already taken out the goal kicking award with 47 goals for the year, Scott became the first key forward to take out the Morrish Medal. Eastern Ranges captain Ben Cavarra was overlooked for the All Australian side surprisingly, but he wasn’t too fussed. George Cameron was absent from the count due to illness. He surprisingly lead the count from round nine onwards, stealing votes off the likes of Lewis Taylor who finished with 11.

Coach of the Year went to Eastern Ranges coach Darren ‘Borris’ Bewick. Bewick was able to take the Ranges to second spot and they’ll take on the Geelong Falcons this weekend in a preliminary final.

The Coaches Award was given to North Ballarat’s Louis Herbert. The leaping redhead took out the award over Calder’s Matthew Merlo and Morrish Medalist Jacob Chisari.

Morrish Medallist Josh Scott took out the leading goal kicker award with 51 goals from 13 games over Eastern Ranges duo Christian Petracca (36 goals from 16 games) and Andreas Roth (32 goals from 18 games).

The TAC Cup team of the year was as follows:

B: Zak Jones (DS) – Fraser Fort (GF) –  Jake Owen (CC)

HB: Louis Herbert (NB) – Darcy Gardiner (GF) – Tom Langdon (SD)

C: Billy Hartung (DS) – Matt Crouch (NB) – Josh Kelly (SD)

HF: Ben Lennon (NK) – Tom Boyd (ER) – Lewis Taylor (GF)

F: Mitch Honeychurch (ER) – Michael Apeness (ER) –  Josh Scott (GP)

Foll: Jack Leslie (GP) – Jacob Chisari (BP) – Michael Gibbons (MB)

Interchange:

James Sicily (WJ) – Christian Salem (SD) – James Tsitas (GF)

Jay Kennedy-Harris (OC)  –  Nick Holman (MB)  – Marcus Bontempelli (NK)

The TAC Speed Hurts award is given to the club who creates the best educational film clip directed towards young drivers. The Western Jets took out the award, with the Northern Knights and North Ballarat Rebels claiming second and third place respectively. The Eastern Ranges and Bendigo Pioneers also drew praise.

The Eva-Peers Medal was given to the best players from the women’s 2013 AFL youth championships. Lily Methan was the winner for Vic Country and Ellie Blackburn took out the award for Vic Metro.

On the Rising Stars show last Thursday, Williams, Canil and Stephen Marson all had slightly different predictions for their top three:

Peter: Winner David Iacarrino, second Jacob Chisari, third Lewis Taylor

Jourdan: Winner Michael Gibbons, second Lewis Taylor, third Alex  Carr

Stephen: Winner Lewis Taylor, second Michael Gibbons, third Ben Cavarra

Here were some of the players’ thoughts on who could win the medal:

Christian Salem of the Sandringham Dragons thought Captain Tom Langdon would be the highest vote getter at the Dragons, with James Munro as the smokie. Overall, Salem was gunning for Lewis Taylor. Check out what he had to say: Salem Morrish

Runner up Michael Gibbons thought Bryden Squire would poll the most for the Bushies and Lewis Taylor was his tip for overall. Gibbons shared his insight with us: Gibbons Morrish

Western Jets leading vote getter David Iacarrino predicted Lewis Taylor would be the overall winner, yet he talked down his own chances at the medal. Have a listen to what the 19 year old had to say: Iaccarino Morrish

Oakleigh co-captain and runner up, Jay Kennedy-Harris said that Alex Urban was the best chance for the Chargers, with Ben Cavarra and Taylor as the overall winners.

Murray Bushrangers star Jarman Impey thought Bryden Squire and Jake Sharp would be right up there for the Bushies, with Lewis Taylor a shoe-in for the overall. We caught up with Kennedy-Harris and Impey.

The full club by club results can be found here thanks to the TAC Cup website.