Medhurst magic earns Anzac gong

CTV > ANZAC Day Winners' Circle

CTV > Malthouse/Medhurst post-match press conference

PAUL Medhurst joined an exclusive club when he became the 14th recipient of the Anzac Medal for his best-on-ground performance in Friday’s 73-point drubbing of Essendon.

Medhurst, 26, kicked six goals from 17 possessions, took eight marks and laid four tackles in the win which sees the Pies edge ahead of the Bombers – seven wins to six – in the overall tally of the annual blockbuster which began with a draw in 1995.

“Just to get a chance to play in today’s game is an honour and a privilege,” Medhurst said.

“To win the medal is something that I’m going to treasure forever because it does mean a lot to me, going to the shrine [of remembrance] on Tuesday meant a lot to me; it’s a really proud day for me and the footy club.

“We get a chance to go out there in front of everyone and demonstrate what we think is the important values of the Anzacs. When the last post and the anthem stopped it was goose bumps and I had a big smile on my face; it’s a fantastic day and I’m really proud and happy.”

It’s a scenario that must have seemed unlikely even to him when, having appeared to have lost his way, Fremantle shipped him to the Pies at the end of 2006.

Coach Mick Malthouse praised the manner in which Medhurst has grasped the second chance offered to him.

“I think Paul would be pretty happy with himself that he can look in the mirror now and say ‘I’ve hardened up physically, I’ve trained hard to meet the requirements of the demands that Collingwood place on [me] and [I’m] a contributor in other areas that we demand’,” he said.

“I take my hat off to anyone who, perhaps, has had a couple of lean years and has done something about it.”

After the unsettling, but necessary, shift across the country, Medhurst is just happy to be in an environment that he feels brings the best out in him.

“Having Mick as a coach has helped me in keeping things simple and I think a change is good for someone like me who had a couple of lean years,” he said.

“I’ve come to a club where I’ve got teammates that are really starting to help me out and a forward structure that is hard to match up on. We share the load down there and thankfully, over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had some opportunities and been able to capitalise on them.”