Sport
24 August, 2024
Tigers' Feeny Medal winner Wade Donnan remains focused on ultimate prize
Tiger Wade Donnan reflects on Feeny Medal winning season
Sea Lake-Nandaly midfielder Wade Donnan is focused on the big picture heading into the NCFL finals series.
This despite the gun Tiger claiming league honours on Saturday night, winning the 2024 Feeny Medal ahead of Donald ruckman Andrew Browne.
After coming runner-up twice in the Feeny Medal before, Donnan finally cracked through to be recognised as the competition's premier player.
He kept the medal in the family after his brother Trent shared the award with Birchip-Watchem's Nicholas Rippon 12 months ago.
Donnan (Wade) said it was special to share the moment with his brother but remains attentive to the grander prize on offer, a premiership.
"It's pretty cool winning it the year after my brother, as I look up to him a lot," Donnan said.
"I got a photo with Trent on Saturday night, and that will be a good memory for us to look back on down the track.
"In terms of being the league best and fairest, it hasn't really sunk in yet as I'm more worried about winning the flag, but it's definitely a good feeling.
"I wasn't thinking about it too much during the year as I believe when I'm not focusing on those sorts of individual accolades, I can just go out there and play with some freedom."
Donnan polled three votes in the Tigers final round win against Charlton on Saturday to finish on 25 votes, five ahead of Browne and eight ahead of young midfield partner Thomas Cox in fifth.
While he has been one of the NCFL's most damaging players since joining the club from Strathfieldsaye in 2019, Donnan believes his improvement this season has primarily come in two areas, fitness and leadership.
Speaking after the Charlton win and subsequent vote count that evening, his coach Bryce Delmenico said, "he's taken his training to another level."
"You can see him in the Sea Lake gym at 5.00am every morning before work, so it's no surprise his game has got even better."
This focus on fitness came with the knowledge he would likely spend more time at the coalface this season, which has eventuated not just through his own development but also injuries to key players, including Trent (Donnan).
"I did a big pre-season and started early as I knew I would spend more time in the midfield, so I had to knuckle down and do some extra stuff to get myself right for the season," Donnan said.
"Doing extras in the gym and eating the right stuff to have the best year I could for the team was a focus that has paid off so far, but we've still got to get the job done in finals."
Donnan said he has enjoyed the step up in responsibility.
"I think I've improved at being more of a leader this year in the midfield group with Trent (Donnan) and Austin Mertz being injured," he said.
"We've had a fair few young blokes roll through, including Thomas Cox, who is going to be an absolute star of the competition, so being a leader for them has been important."
The Tigers have the weekend off before facing Birchip-Watchem in the second semi-final at Donald on August 31.
While not as dominant as last year's undefeated campaign, the Tigers are still favourites to defend their crown, having claimed the minor premiership.
Their two losses in 2024 have been to the Bulls by 13 points in round four and Donald by one point a month ago.
Donnan said his side is champing at the bit for another crack at glory.
"We're hungry for it, and losing those games hasn't hurt our mindset," he said.
"In fact, they probably lit a fire under us when we needed one.
"So, we're keen and raring to go because this is what we play footy for."