JJ Clune count: Who will take home the Great Northern Football League’s coveted award?

All the excitement of the Great Northern Football League’s grand final week kicks off on Tuesday night with the JJ Clune Medal count, which will see the league’s best player crowned.

Presented in a similar style to the Brownlow Medal, votes are handed out in each game and read out on the JJ Clune night — with the player standing on top after 17 rounds crowned the JJ Clune medallist.

With such a tight competition in 2024 it could be anyone’s award, but who are the names that will be tipped to take home the medal?

Dylan Ralph would be the punter’s choice to clean up this year and it should come as no surprise for anyone who has seen Northampton play.

In his first year with the Rams after coming over from Brigades, Ralph has dominated the GNFL and been a key piece of Northampton’s success in the midfield. In his 15 games for the Rams he has been among the side’s best players 13 times and will likely receive votes in a number of their wins.

A player who could take votes off Ralph is his ruck and co-winner of last year’s Clune, Flynn Dillon.

Arguably one of the best rucks in the competition, Dillon tied the win last year off just seven games and had practically a full season under his belt this year.

The other co-winner of the 2023 JJ Clune is going to make his case again this year with Kim Schofield chopping up at his new club Chapman Valley.

He will have a tough time with less games played than others, but dominated when he did play — along with teammate Ringo McKenna who was a key piece of Valley’s undefeated run early in the season.

Another player who could push his case for best ruck in the competition is Brigades’ Hayden Johnson, a cornerstone of the Hawks’ attack, who will certainly poll well during their wins.

A past winner who could be seeing more rewards in his trophy cabinet is Railways’ Mitchell Boyle. The long-time Blue lifted the side in many games this season and has been a proven vote-getter in the past.

Despite his team missing finals, Rohan Fariss was a standout for Towns this season, playing every game and named in the side’s best players 11 times.

Other players who stood up despite their team’s struggles were Rovers Shaun Brennan and Mullewa’s Jayden Wall — both players that could steal votes in losses.

The JJ Clune count is set for Tuesday night at the Wintersun Hotel. Results will be published on the Geraldton Guardian website and in Friday’s edition.