Glenelg’s Liam McBean wins 2024 Jack Oatey Medal

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg captain Liam McBean had never kicked a goal in his three Hostplus SANFL Grand Final appearances leading into the 2024 title-decider.

But the Bays’ inspirational skipper couldn’t have picked a bigger stage to equal Tigers’ great Stephen Kernahan in booting seven game-breaking majors to earn the Jack Oatey Medal as best afield.

In his first season wearing the cherished No.5 guernsey, McBean not only joined Kernahan, Tony Hall, Matthew Snook and Lachie Hosie in being rated best afield, he also joined dual premiership captain Peter Carey with his third flag.

The 30-year-old slotted seven goals without a miss, including three pressure set shots in the last quarter with the game on the line.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 202cm giant, who has now booted 324 career goals, was still pinching himself in the jubilant changerooms after producing his best performance in front of 35,129 fans at Adelaide Oval.

McBean now joins teammates Luke Reynolds, Max Proud, Jonty Scharenberg, Darcy Bailey, Matthew Snook as now sitting alongside Super Carey with three flags.