FORMER South Gambier premiership player and Mount Gambier resident Simon Berkefeld finished runner-up by the slimmest margin in the 2019 Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League Mail/Virgo medal count recently.
Now calling the Penola Football Club home, just one vote separated Berkefeld from the winner, Lucindale’s Scott Spriggs.
In-form Roo midfielder Spriggs was a deserving recipient of the top accolade, after featuring in his club’s top players in 12 of his 16 games, which included a best on ground when he last faced Penola’s Berkefeld on June 29.
Berkefeld finished on 20 votes – after the 18-round minor season – equal with Border Districts’ Mark Quinn and Lucindale’s Ryan McInerney.
It is a solid feat by the Eagles’ midfielder and is made all the more impressive after he missed three rounds of the season due to injury.
Like last year – which saw Berkefeld fall short of the medal by the same small margin – it was a case of bad luck which cost him.
In 2018 a cheap hit in the final minor round game prevented him from what was potentially shaping up to be a three-vote performance.
However, despite injury holding him from the games which could have made up the difference this year, Berkefeld remained modest and said he is not dwelling on it too much.
“You are not really to know what will happen in those games anyway, it is beyond your control,” he said.
He said he was “not too sure” what to expect at the count, but said he has been happy with how the season has unfolded.
“I have been happy with how the season has gone team-wise and personally as well,” he said.
“But you do not really think about it too much (throughout the year).”
He said he has been pleased with his form this season, but said the biggest factor this year has been the enjoyment of playing with his fellow Eagles.
“When you are enjoying your footy and are surrounded by a good group of people, that certainly helps,” he said.
A Grade coach Matt Tilby gave praise to Berkefeld and commended him on his achievement.
“He missed a few games, so he was a little bit unlucky,” he said.
“But he still did well to poll as many votes as he did.
“It was just another fantastic year from him – he is an exceptional country footballer.”
Since making the move to the Penola Football Club in the KNTFL three seasons ago, Berkefeld won the league medal in his debut year, before finishing runner-up in the last two.
He also won a Western Border best-and-fairest award during his time at South Gambier.
