Sam Fisher wins the 2024 J N Woodrow Medal

It was the VAFA's Night of Nights at Carlton's beautiful San Remo Ballroom and hundreds gathered for the vote count that would decide the winner of this year's Woodrow Medal. All's well that ends well, as when the call of the card concluded, it was Claret and Stout midfielder Sam Fisher in front.

The midfielder polled 16 votes to win the medal by 1 vote from Paddy Kerr of St Kevin's. Old Scotch’s Isaac Conway and Old Brighton’s Hamish Dick tied for 3rd on 14.

Fisher polled in six games between Rounds 4 and 14, scoring four BOGs and two 2-vote performances, edging in front of SKOB spearhead Kerr in Round 14. Fisher didn't poll a vote in the final four rounds, but neither did his main rivals.

It is Fisher’s second major League Best & Fairest, having won the WAFL’s storied Sandover Medal with Swan Districts in 2020.

Fisher, who missed the Red ‘n’ Blacks' first three games, and finished third in the Bowen-Ralph Medal, the club’s senior B&F award.

Sam won the Sandover Medal in 2020 while playing at Swan Districts. He becomes the second player to win the WAFL-VAFA medal double, with former University Blues' skipper Ross Young having also won both (SM ’09, WM ’15).  Both players are natural left-footers.

Sam is just the sixth Old Xaverian to win the Woodrow* since a medal for the competition's best and fairest was first awarded in 1927.

The late Mick Mulcahy won it in 1966, Steve Pirrie in 1981, Mark McClelland in 1989, and Michael Blood in 1997. Marcus Stavrou’s 2021 win broke a 24-year drought. During those years, Old Xaverians won the Premier section title ten times but Blood's win was the only one in a premiership year. Interestingly, Sam is the club's only Woodrow Medal winner not to land the club's Best and Fairest in the same year.

Despite his late start to the season, Fisher had a remarkable season. He represented the Big V in Perth alongside Xavs’ teammates Marcus Stavrou and Charlie MacIsaac.

Across 19 categories statistical categories measured by Premier Data, Fisher was elite in 11, as well as averaging an elite 136.1 ranking points per game. He was measured as above average in three other stats. In terms of total season stats, Fisher was elite in those same 12 despite missing four games.

* Woodrow played at Collegians from 1913 to 1927. He was the Association's Asst Secretary from 1920 until his death. The medal was named in his honour in 1939.

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