KALKEE coach Steve Schultz believes he was `lucky' to claim back-to-back Dellar Family Medals in a thrilling vote count at Horsham Sports and Community Club on Monday night.
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Schultz claimed Horsham District Football League's highest individual accolade on 26 votes, ahead of favourite, Pimpinio defender Daniel Baker on 24 votes and Rupanyup midfielder Nathan McNally on 22 votes.
With two rounds remaining Baker led by one from Schultz, and McNally a further one back.
Schultz polled three votes in the penultimate round, with the count then resting on Pimpinio's final-round clash with Natimuk.
Baker, who kicked four goals in the match and was named best-on-ground by his club, failed to poll a vote.
Interestingly, Schultz polled two votes in the Kees' 111-point thrashing of Noradjuha-Quantong in round seven - a match where he left the field before half- time and was admitted to Wimmera Base Hospital for a gash on his head.
Kalkee did not name Schultz in the best.
Schultz said, like last year, he was shocked to receive the medal.
"I didn't think I had a great year," Schultz said.
"I saw `Boony' Baker play a couple of times, and I thought he was probably the standout for the year."
It was his second league best and fairest, after he said last year he had always struggled in league vote counts because umpires had never liked him.
He said their relationship must have turned around.
"I must have been doing a bit more sucking up again this year," Schultz said.
Schultz's mother Jenny, still shaking after her son's victory, presented Baker with the runner-up trophy.
Mrs Schultz said Baker had been a standout against the Kees during the season, a claim Baker refuted - stating he had been forced from the ground with a heart problem.
Baker thanked Pimpinio Football Club.
"I would like to thank a lot of my mates at Pimpinio. I have had a tough year and they kept me going and allowed me to play the footy I did," he said.
"Well done to Schultzy, he is a freak and I hope he does everyone in this league a favour and goes and plays somewhere else."
Schultz, one of the hottest properties in Wimmera football, said he had given no thought to his football future.
"I haven't given any thought to it at all, I just want to get over this week first," Schultz said.
He will lead Kalkee into the grand final against Harrow-Balmoral at Horsham City Oval on Saturday.
MORE reports and pictures from Horsham District Football League count, see today's Mail-Times.
