Boras Wins Inaugural Tony Modra Medal

By ALEXANDRA BULL

The Tony Modra Medal has been created to acknowledge the leading goalkicker across all regional SANFL Community Football Leagues.

There are 25 Regional Community Football leagues in South Australia, with the 2021 season marking the inaugural presentation of the award, supported by Fleurieu Milk Company.

Modra was considered a fitting player to have for the award named in his honour, given his goal kicking feats across all levels of football in South Australia.

From Country Football in Loxton and Renmark to West Adelaide in the SANFL and of course the Adelaide Crows in the AFL, where Modra won a Coleman Medal and was named in the Team of the Century.

“It was a real privilege to be asked, as I did have a fair bit to do with country footy back in the day,” Modra said.

“I played at Loxton, kicked a ton at Renmark, and obviously grassroots footy is where it starts.

“It’s a stepping stone up but it’s also a great stepping stone back after your career to get the opportunity to play country footy too.’’

The inaugural winner of the award is Johnny Boras, who represents the Imperial Football Club in the River Murray Football League.

Boras is a former SANFL player, having played 15 games and kicking 27 goals from 2010 to 2013 for the North Adelaide Football Club.

He won the award with 104 goals for the season, finishing only one goal ahead of Gene Robinson from the Millicent Football Club.

Upon learning of the award from teammates at his football club, Boras thought a practical joke was being played on him.

“When I got the call from (SANFL’s) Craig Robinson, I was a bit wary of it, so I made a few phone calls to check he wasn’t joking,” Boras said.

“Tony Modra is a massive icon of South Australian football, so it’s a massive honour.”

Boras is delighted the medal is recognising country footballers.

“You see how tight knit these country footy communities are and how they give a real passion for the game,” he said.

Boras now thinks the medal is going to be highly sought after next year and beyond.

“Now nobody is going to pass it to me,” he said with a laugh.