Alastair Lynch Medallist Josh Ponting has paid tribute to a pair of North Launceston premiership coaches helping redefine his football path.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 24-year-old has been quick to turn from a talent outside the centre square to one firmly in the middle of it.
Sound advice and opportunity from Tom Couch in 2017 and Taylor Whitford this year benefited his game.
All of a sudden Ponting has been a game-changer for the Bombers, ironically picking up the slack in the absence of Couch, who missed 14 games this year in a transition to a part-time player and tennis fitness instructor.
“Going out from last year, Tom had sort of given me much more of a role in the middle,” Ponting said.
“I sort of adapted that pretty well and fortunately Taylor stuck with me this year too.
“[Whitford] probably sacrificed a fair bit of his game for me to play there in the midfield and himself on the wing – that sort of thing, I do appreciate.”
Ponting’s medal win on Saturday night came after polling 23 votes to run away emphatically by nine votes.
He earned six best-on-grounds – four more votes alone than the nearest player – and stormed home with 13 votes after round nine.
That nearest challenger in the race for the state’s highest individual award was teammate Brad Cox-Goodyer.
The Bomber skipper had entered the night the reigning Lynch medallist, but could not have been any happier for Ponting’s success.
“We’re really close the two of us,” Ponting said.
“So to win it after he won it last year is magnificent.”
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox. Sign up here.