So close: Nik Rokahr finished runner-up in the Magarey Medal count for the second year running.
Photo by
Cory Sutton/Norwood FC
There’s been a bittersweet ending to the South Australian National Football League season for Nik Rokahr.
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For the second time in two years Rokahr polled second in the Magarey Medal, the league best-and-fairest count, but found himself named in the Team of the Year and more recently claimed Norwood’s Michael Taylor Medal.
It was the second time Rokahr picked up the Redlegs’ highest individual honour.
The dashing rover missed out on the Magarey Medal by three votes, Rokahr losing out to Central District midfielder Harry Grant who eked out the honour with 27 votes.
Rokahr, 28, joined Grant on 24 votes with one round remaining, but lost out after the latter received his fifth first preference in succession.
The ex-Bear said there was a mystique heading into the count due to Norwood’s patchy form and was rightly frustrated at being pipped at the post in consecutive years.
“Obviously I didn’t know how it was going to pan out ― we didn’t win as many as we did last year unfortunately ― but it was nice to come home pretty strong in the second half of the year,” he said.
“Unfortunately I’ve come runner-up for the second year in a row, it’s not really great, but it’s still an achievement, I guess.”
Rokahr had to stop and think when asked if his 2023 form matched last year’s effort.
He averaged 27 disposals, six tackles and five clearances across 18 matches in a campaign that did not bear fruit, the Redlegs not venturing past August.
“It’s hard to judge because I heavily rate my game on where our club is at and how we’re going,” he said.
“If we’re not winning games I probably judge myself a little bit harder. Statistically it was pretty much on par with my year last year, which I thought last year was the best season I’ve had.
“But then you look at the stats and this season is pretty much right on it, but stats aren’t everything I guess.
“It was up there, I felt like I had a pretty good year, but didn’t get the wins on the board we would’ve liked to.”
Norwood ― and Rokahr ― were hamstrung by injury heading into the season.
He and five other of the club’s stars underwent surgery late last year; the former Shepparton flag-winner ruptured his syndesmosis, leaving him and the team “a bit wobbly” for the first few rounds.
Top gong: Former Bear Nik Rokahr claimed SANFL club Norwood's best-and-fairest award.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
“We just weren’t ready and fit enough at the start of the year, but if you look at the second half of the season we only lost two games,” he said.
“We were right up there in the second half, it was just a little bit too late.”
Norwood bowed out of finals contention after finishing the league in seventh, however, the sweetener was receiving the Michael Taylor Medal, his second in three years.
“It was really good to just get together and celebrate the good things that happened that year, really get around each other and embrace each other,” he said.
“I was very grateful to win it, I guess it’s something I’ll reflect on in due time. I haven’t quite done it yet, but I’m sure I will.”
One thing that hasn’t escaped Rokahr’s mind is being the Magarey Medal bridesmaid again.
However, he kept a sunny attitude towards going one better next season and said all he can do is grit his teeth and lower his nose to the grindstone.
“It’s a funny one, having a rough year on the win-loss front is probably enough to get me going,” he said.
“But you have that little inner drive to prove to yourself and prove to everyone where you believe you are in the league.
“It’s an award you never know how you’re going to go because it’s out of your hands, but all I can do is be motivated.”
