Selfless Magpie has team focus

Individual honours are of little concern to consummate team player Daniel McGinlay so it is no surprise to hear the Busselton Magpie quickly put things into perspective when asked about being named fairest and best for the 2014 Landmark Country Football Championships.

“My focus for the three days was to firstly do what I could to ensure that we got to the grand final and then obviously win it, ” he said.

“It was good to receive the individual honour but the most rewarding outcome was helping the South West take out the division one title for a fourth straight year.”

South West co-captain McGinlay was an integral part of that victory, the tireless on-baller’s courageous work around the stoppages and accurate disposal earning him votes in every one of the green and gold’s five games.

The Magpie was the South West’s best in a 24-point loss to Great Northern in the round-robin finale before backing up the following afternoon alongside Bulldog Jesse Gribble and Panther Brayden Lawler in a dominant midfield performance against the same opponent in the decider.

“I think the longer format for the grand final gave us time to settle more into a South West Football League style of play whereas the shortened games sometimes didn’t suit that, ” he said.

McGinlay shared the carnival victory with four of his club mates and said playing alongside his fellow Magpies was memorable.

“To witness young guys like Jon Meadmore and Sean Trombetta really thrive in the Landmark situation was one of the real highlights for me, ” he said.

“It was also good to share the win with some of the older Busselton players in Sam Shepherd and Tim Ioannou.

“Busselton had a fairly large group play Landmark in 2012 and we definitely saw the players that went away come back as better players at club level.”

McGinlay also reserved some praise for five-time South West Coach Crandon Keddie, who was named coach of the carnival for the fourth consecutive year.

“Keds is a very, very good coach in regards to tactics as well as bringing the best out of individuals and also bringing the best out of a whole playing group, ” he said.

“It is a rare trait to be able to bring a bunch of guys together from all different backgrounds and age groups and produce a winning team.”