Former VAFA star Joel Cross wins second Magarey Medal

Former Victorian Amateur Football Association player, Joel Cross, won his second Magarey Medal last night as the best player in the South Australian National Football League.

Playing for South Adelaide, Cross’ impressive count was highlighted by the fact he polled 12 votes out of a possible 15 in the first five rounds of the season.

Cross finished four votes ahead of his nearest rival at the end of the home and away fixture, with the individual accolade even more impressive than his first, which he shared with Central District star, Brad Symes, in 2012.

Cross said the feeling of winning his second medal was surreal.

“I was coming tonight to have a good night and it turned out nicely,” he said.

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity for me to come over here and play in such a fantastic competition and I really do love the SANFL, and I love South Australia and I love the people I’ve met.”

Cross started his VAFA career in 2006 in the U19s at Old Xaverians before switching to Old Camberwell in 2007.

In his first year at Old Camberwell he won the club’s best and fairest in a premiership year, before continuing to play for both Old Camberwell and Box Hill Hawks in the ensuing years.

Cross now has three competition best and fairests in his trophy cabinet after he won the VFL Reserves Todd Medal when playing for the Hawks.