BFL: Harkin humbled by player of year award

SAM Harkin is The Courier Ballarat Football League Footballer of the Year for 2010.The Ballarat goal-kicker topped the votes tally by the narrowest of margins with 27 votes, ahead of Sunbury defender Brett Chambers and Lake Wendouree prime mover Ben Taylor, tied on 26 votes.Harkin's total included three best-on-ground performances of the year, in round two against East Point, in round 10 against Darley and round 12, again against East Point."I guess it felt like I had had a better year," the 22-year-old said."The coaches at the club taught me a few things and I think it helped to develop my game."I didn't think I would be up here for the award. There are a lot better players in the league. I'm actually pretty humbled by it, to be honest."Harkin is in his third season at Dahlsens Park after crossing from Cobden in the Hampden League.Harkin and his Ballarat teammates collected a combined 181 votes over the course of the season, the most of any club. Sunbury players earned 176 votes overall, with Lake Wendouree and Redan each compiling 161.While Harkin was a clear leader in red and white (Will McGregor and Adam Sewell were next best with 16), Lake Wendouree and Sunbury players split their votes more evenly, depriving one another of votes.Henderson medallist Paul McMahon received 21 votes, Nathan Pring 21, and Josh Carracher 15. Apart from Chambers, Rod Sharp scored 22 votes, Ben Jordan 19, while Peter Robertson and Jamie Lobb picked up 17 apiece. Harkin also tied with McMahon for the Tony Lockett Medal, with 58 goals apiece.THE COURIER Footballer of the Year:27 - Sam Harkin (Ballarat)26 - Brett Chambers (Sunbury), Ben Taylor (Lake Wendouree)25 - Jarrod Edwards (Darley)24 - Jarrod Edwards (Redan)22 - Tyson Shea (Bacchus Marsh), Rod Sharp (Sunbury)21 - Paul McMahon (Lake Wendouree), Nathan Pring (Lake Wendouree)