08 Sep Inverleigh defender Best in the business
While the entire GDFL community holds its breath to see whether Inverleigh recruit Jak Kennedy Hunt makes his long awaited return another Hawk continues to fly under the radar.
First year Inverleigh defender Michael Best has taken the competition by storm in 2017.
Shortly after crossing over from the Eastern Football League the former Roweville Hawk was one of two first year GDFL players to represent the Raiders’ interleague side in May.
And such was the 21-year-old’s influence that he was rewarded with the Daryl Jones medal as the Raiders’ best player just moments after securing the four point victory over North Central.
It was by this stage of the season that his trademark runs off half back were recognised by opposing coaches and league officials.
His cheeky fetch tactic, where he would handball over his opponent and then beat him to the ball, was a compliment to his agility showcased on the tennis courts for over a decade.
You see, prior to his four years of Division One EFL, Best was a talent with the racquet in hand; once ranked the fourth highest Victorian junior (and 15th nationally) on the circuit.
He then made the Australian Merit team in 2012 and was elevated to vice captain of the Victorian under-19 side while playing the likes of Nick Kyrios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“Those first three steps are crucial in both sports and agility is something we pride ourselves on during high pressure games,” Best said earlier this season.
Last week Best was one of four Hawks named in the GDFL team of the year and polled 12 Whitley medal votes (finishing equal 11th with teammate Dalton Grundell).
The selection then stirred him to defy his critics three days later when collecting 26 disposals (nine in the first term) and even a few late goals in his side’s narrow defeat to Bell Post Hill.
“Best was devastating all day, a stellar performance from start to finish with three goals so he was clearly our best player,” Inverleigh coach Mark McDowell said.
After three unsuccessful attempts on preliminary final day Inverleigh should be able to enter tomorrow’s blockbuster as the narrow favourite with Best in hot form.
By Alex Tigani
GDFL Media/Geelong Advertiser (8/9/2017)
MICHAEL BEST PHOTO GALLERY
ROUND 8 – North Geelong 9.8 (68) defeated by Inverleigh 21.14 (140)
ROUND 11 – Inverleigh 13.12 (90) defeated Bell Post Hill 12.12 (84)
ROUND 12 – East Geelong 4.10 (34) defeated by Inverleigh 17.19 (121)
ROUND 14 – Inverleigh 10.18 (78) defeated Bannockburn 10.12 (72)
ROUND 15 – Inverleigh 22.10 (142) defeated Geelong West 5.10 (40)
SECOND SEMI FINAL – Inverleigh 10.16 (76) defeated by Bell Post Hill 11.11 (77)
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