2020 SANFL Magarey Medal to be a broadcast ‘virtual’ event

By SANFL Media

SANFL has today announced the 2020 Magarey Medal count will be held as a virtual event, broadcast live on Tuesday, October 13, on 7mate and 7plus from 8:30pm.

In an unprecedented year, SANFL has decided not to hold the event for the count, usually the most prestigious annual event for football in SA, but instead will have it produced for television and a live stream.

The one-hour show will be hosted by Channel 7’s Mark Soderstrom, with John Casey to present the winner of the coveted Magarey Medal at his SANFL Club at the end of the night.

SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said the decision to adapt to a virtual event was in line with the current COVID climate, while still respecting the rich history of the SANFL Statewide Super League’s highest honour.

“The Magarey Medal awards the fairest and most brilliant player in the SANFL Statewide Super League,” Mr Parkinson said.

“While there won’t be any red carpet and the format of the event will look different, the anticipation and excitement of who will be crowned SANFL’s best and fairest will still remain.”

2020 will mark the 116^th year of the Magarey Medal which has been presented every year of the SANFL competition since 1898, with the exception of 1900 and 1904 and the World War I and II years.

In keeping with tradition, the Reserves Magarey Medal, U18s McCallum-Tomkins Medal and R.O Shearman Medal winners also will be announced on the night, with the joint Ken Farmer Medallists, Glenelg’s Liam McBean and Woodville-West Torrens’ James Rowe, to be recognised as the Statewide Super League’s highest scoring goalkickers.

SANFL also confirmed that there will be no South Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees this year.