Jack Gray has taken his game to another level for Williamstown CYMS over the past 12 months.
The improvements didn’t go unnoticed by the men in white, who adjudged him best-and-fairest in the VAFA division 1 competition.
Gray, who was part of CYs’ historic premiership-winning side on Sunday, will be presented with the LS Pepper Medal at the VAFA’s night of nights.
“To be honest, I was pretty shocked, I wasn’t expecting it at all,” he said. “I was looking directly towards the grand final; that’s the one everyone wants, but it’s good to get a bit of personal recognition.”
Gray, 23, tuned into the VAFA’s live radio web stream of the vote count with no expectations, other than to see how some of his teammates and opponents would poll.
A storming finish got Gray into the medal discussions and prompted him to ask his mum and girlfriend to listen to the final rounds.
Gray came home with a wet sail, polling 11 of a possible 12 votes in the last four rounds to be the outright winner on 22 votes, one clear of Therry Penola’s Jarrod Ecclestone (21) and Prahran Assumption’s James Musster (19).
“It got to the last round and I was leading and it all kind of happened pretty quickly from there,” Gray said.
“My phone erupted and then I kind of got calls and messages from everyone.’’
Gray is the kind of player that CYs coach Mathew Montebello likes to have in his side.
He’s able to play in a variety of positions, whether it be using his exquisite skills off half-back or as a danger man in attack.
Gray played mainly as a galloping half-back with the Western Jets in the TAC Cup before Williamstown swung him forward in his two years in the VFL.
Montebello believes the umpires were drawn to Gray’s game because of his unmatched skills.
The youngster rarely wastes a possession and that is like money in the bank for CYs.
“His kicking ability is phenomenal,” Montebello said. “He kicks the ball like an AFL footballer and never wastes it.”
While his skill set has always been a forte for Gray, it’s the defensive aspects of his game that have improved on the back of a big preseason
He’s tackling harder and more often, and is becoming more of a physical presence around the ball. “I worked hard to keep my fitness up to keep myself in games for longer and keep myself more consistent,” he said.
A season like this might have the VFL clubs sniffing around. Gray wanted to use his time at CYs to play in a premiership alongside his big brother Ben and improve his game so he’s ready to hit the ground running should he get back into the VFL ranks.
“If the opportunity arose, I’d definitely consider it,” Gray said. “Time will tell, I’ll see what happens over the next couple of years.”
Lance Jenkinson
