Regis Chakabva is on track to defend his Turner Medal, sitting 98 runs clear of his nearest rival on the run-scoring chart. Photo: Bruce Povey.
While team success is inarguably the ultimate goal of every player in the McMahon Shield, the Turner Medal is the individual accolade the region’s best cricketers are striving for.
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As we await the return of A-grade action on January 11, let’s take a look at the current contenders for the league’s top prize.
1. Regis Chakabva - Bamawm-Lockington United
Last year’s winner is well-positioned to go back-to-back in 2024-25 after showcasing scintillating form over the first nine rounds.
The Zimbabwean international is nearly 100 runs clear at the top of the run-scoring charts, making 416 so far in eight innings at an average of 59.4.
The Lions’ captain has only missed out twice this campaign, making six half-centuries to help keep his side in finals contention heading into the break.
Consistent work behind the stumps has also added to the keeper-bat's resume.
2. AK Gunathilaka - Echuca South
AK Gunathilaka has been lethal with the ball this season, leading the competition with 20 wickets. Photo: Bruce Povey.
Having spoken about the league’s leading run-scorer, it would be remiss to not mention the McMahon Shield’s leading wicket-taker.
Gunathilaka was a respectable new-ball bowler for the Swans last season, taking 16 wickets, but has really stepped up his game this season, already surpassing that total with 20 scalps through nine rounds.
The Swans strike man is also limiting opposition run-rates, his wickets coming at the cost of just 13.6 runs each.
Not known for his batting, Gunathilaka was promoted to the top of the order and delivered in round eight, making his mark with a half-century.
3. Kobyn James - Echuca
Kobyn James has been in scintillating recent form, making 67 or better in his last three innings. Photo: File.
The second wicket-keeper on the list, Echuca’s glove-man tapped into a rich vein of form with the bat over the final month before the break.
James’ last three innings of 75, 74 and 67 rocketed him to the top of Echuca’s run-scoring list, boasting a healthy average of 45.4.
While there’s still work to be done to match Chakabva’s scoring prowess, James is well-positioned within the treble-winning Echuca to make another deep finals run and potentially complete the quadrilogy.
4. Matt Saunders - Moama
Matt Saunders has been an all-round threat for Moama, taking 15 wickets and adding 198 runs. Photo: File.
Moama is a team made of useful all-rounders, but none have stepped up this season as much as Matt Saunders.
Leading the Mowers wicket-taking list with 15 at a miserly 12 runs per, he has also made strong contributions with bat in hand, logging the second-most runs for his side, 198, at an average of 33.
Back-to-back 50s in rounds seven and eight were the highlights of a consistent year with the bat, Saunders failing to make double figures only once so far.
5. Rathika Rajakumara - Echuca South
Rathika Rajakumara has three half-centuries and six wickets at an impressive clip of 14.3. Photo: Bruce Povey.
Speaking of all-rounders, Rathika Rajakumara has augmented consistent batting with some useful stints with ball in hand this season.
Leading the Swans with 263 runs at 37.6, he picked up 50s in rounds four, five and nine, getting his side out of trouble on several occasions.
Only bowling in the opening four rounds, Rajakumara’s six wickets at 14.3 make a case for him to be used more in the second half of the year.
If he is afforded more bowling opportunities and cashes in in-kind, the Swans man could make a play for the top honour over the second half of the year.
Dark horses for the award
Asantha Singappuli (Echuca South) - The 2023-24 champion player has been a little below his best this time around, averaging a more modest 22 with the bat.
His wicket-taking remains an asset for the Swans — he has 15 at an average of 24 — and a century in round four gave a glimpse into what the all-rounder could be capable of in the second half of the year.
Brett Andison (Kyabram Fire Brigade) - Averaging 40.5 with the bat will always put someone in contention for a breakout year, and Andison has done just that through nine rounds.
Half-centuries of 85 and 54 have been contrasted with a couple of lean innings that the Flames opener will eliminate over the home stretch to help his side make finals.
Robert Salter (Kyabram Fire Brigade) - Best known for his work with the ball, Salter is part of a devastating Flames trio of quicks, the Fire Brigade captain with 15 wickets at an average of 13 so far this season.
Salter has also proved handy with the bat, making five double-figure scores, including a 47 in round six.
Alex Williams (Tongala) - The Blues have struggled this season, but when good has come, captain Williams has usually been involved.
Leading his side in both runs (167 at 33.4) and wickets (13 at 15.0), if Tonny makes a push in the second half of the season, Williams could find himself at the forefront of judges' minds.
Simon Tatt (Leitchville-Gunbower) - With 100 runs and 17 wickets so far, Tatt is one to keep an eye on when play resumes this weekend.
A breakout performance with bat or ball could launch the L-G man into medal contention, especially if his side maintains the strong form it has demonstrated early this season.
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