Decorated Collingullie-Glenfield Park midfielder Jayden Klemke has played down his chances of a second consecutive Jim Quinn Medal.
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Klemke will be favourite to claim back-to-back medal wins when Riverina League hold their presentation night at Narrandera Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Tuesday.
Klemke was a commanding eight-vote winner last year and has again enjoyed an outstanding season, winning Riverina League’s Player of the Year award for a second consecutive time.
The 22-year-old has also been tipped by six of the nine Riverina League coaches to win the Medal.
Klemke is not as convinced as others and labelled himself just an ‘average’ chance.
“Favourites don’t always win,” Klemke said.
“Lachie Highfield was favourite to win the Farrer League medal and didn’t win it.
“You never know what’s going to happen.”
Klemke does not believe his season this year has been any better than last year.
“Probably on par,” he said.
“A few people have said this year has been better but I reckon last year was better.”
Klemke rates Leeton-Whitton midfielder Bryce O’Garey and Wagga Tigers speedster Campbell Lovell as the two players to beat in the vote count.
He said he is looking forward to watching how the count unfolds, regardless of who wins.
“It’s a good night, I’m not too fazed either way,” he said.
“It would be good to win it, but if I don’t, good luck to the bloke who wins it.”
Of more of a concern to Klemke is Sunday’s preliminary final.
The Demons take on Griffith for the right to play Leeton-Whitton in the grand final.
Klemke said they must improve on their display against the Crows last Saturday, where they went down by 27 points.
“We weren’t good enough. Leeton were the better side,” he said.
“We were good for a bit, we just didn’t play the whole game.”
Klemke said the Demons will need to be cleaner against the Swans.
“Our skills have been letting us down all year,” he said.
“That’s the biggest thing we need to improve, really.”
JIM QUINN MEDAL SELECTIONS
Matt Malone (Advertiser)
1 Jayden Klemke (Collingullie-GP)
2 Bryce O’Garey (Leeton-Whitton)
3 Jacob Olsson (GGGM)
Peter Doherty (Advertiser)
1 Jayden Klemke (Collingullie-GP)
2 Nathan Byrne (MCUE)
3 Marshal Macauley (Coolamon)