Tom Lewis wins 2025 R. O. Shearman Medal

By ZAC MILBANK

Sturt’s Tom Lewis has had his tremendous 2025 campaign fittingly rewarded, becoming the first Double Blue in 17 years to win the R.O Shearman Medal.

Widely-regarded as the standout midfielder in the Hostplus SANFL League this season, Sturt’s clearance king polled 105 votes to win by a convincing margin, in front of second-placed Tiger Jarryd Lyons on 70.

The hard-tackling onballer posted eye-popping averages of 25.8 disposals, 7.4 clearances, 8.4 tackles and 4.9 inside 50s across his 18 matches in 2025.

Lewis is just the second Sturt player to win the R.O Shearman Medal, joining Jade Sheedy, who saluted in 2003 and 2008.

Norwood’s Billy Cootee placed third with 62 votes, ahead of Lewis’ teammate Will Snelling and South’s Oliver Davis on 56.

North Adelaide’s James Allan has dominated the award, claiming a record six R. O Shearman Medals, including one with Sheedy in 2008.

Voted on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis by the SANFL coaches during the minor round, the R. O Shearman Medal voting appears weekly on the SANFL website.

Introduced in 2000, the medal is named after five-time Sturt premiership player and SA Football Hall of Fame member Bob Shearman.