Ty Anderson claims Tony Carbone Medal as Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault fairest and best

Ty Anderson has become the pride of Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault after he claimed the Tony Carbone Medal this month. Anderson was handed the award for the Lions’ league best and fairest at the club’s presentation night on October 2. At only 21, Anderson said he expected to be around the mark but thought 2020 Hayward medallist Brendan Tingey would take home the coveted prize. Anderson said he was honoured to win the medal over his fellow midfielder. “It’s a great feeling, he is a bloody good football player, so to beat him in our best and fairest was pretty cool,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for him as a player.” The speedster finished sixth in this year’s Hayward Medal after moving from the half-forward line into the midfield. He said the added responsibility had helped him to become a leader among the team. “This year it has been pretty exciting moving up into the midfield and playing a different role in the team,” Anderson said. “I am more of a leader now, not so much sitting in the back as a young player.” HBL were knocked out in the semifinal by eventual grand finalists Busselton and Anderson said the loss still stung. “It sucks because we had the team to go all the way and to fall short again was very disappointing,” he said. “We’re probably not going to have the same team as we have had . . . so it hits you pretty hard because you’re not going to play with that full team again.” Anderson said the Lions would have to work hard to be in the top three next year. “We’ll still be up there next year, so we just have to push for it next season,” he said. “If we want it that bad, we have to take it there.” HBL are still on the hunt for a new coach after the announcement John Baggetta would not be coaching on in 2021. Anderson said the change may provide a positive. “It will be weird, but I think it will be good,” he said. “We all have to start over and prove ourselves and I think that will be a good change for some of the boys.”