Guy Langdon humbled by NPFL De Grey Medal honour as Dampier Sharks eye flag to cap perfect season

The Dampier Sharks continued their string of successes this season with ruckman Guy Langdon taking home the De Grey Medal at this year’s North Pilbara Football League awards night on Monday. Langdon edged out South Hedland Swans’ midfielder Angus Young to claim the prize after coming close in previous years. The Sharks’s Shane McIntosh was awarded leading goal kicker for his remarkable 61-goal season in an undefeated year for the Dampier side. Karratha Kats president Shane Harris was recognised as volunteer of the year for his incredible contribution to Pilbara football and inducted as a life member of the league. Sarah Owens from the Dampier Sharks and Jessica Creighton from the Karratha Kats tied for the Creighton Medal in the women’s league. Hedland Blazers’ Heidi Thompson took out the leading goal kicker award for her season tally of 25 majors. In the reserves, Kats’ Jake Back won the Colin Matheson Medal and Sharks’ Layton Cooper was the league’s leading goal kicker with 27. Sam Do from the Karratha Falcons women’s team was awarded coach of the year. Langdon said he was humbled to receive the prestigious De Grey Medal in what has been a very consistent year for him. “I’ve come close a couple of years so I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wanted to end up with one by the end of my career,” he said. “I’ve had some consistent years but this year I’ve been able to play my own game and had the freedom from the coaches and the team.” The ruckman impacted the scoreboard as well with 27 goals for the year and said this is the best team he has been a part of. “It’s been a year where everything has come together, back, forward and midfield are so consistent, there’s no holes in our team,” Langdon said. “I want to thank my team mates, mum and dad and the coach Steven Dodd who have all allowed me to play my game.” The Sharks have a week off before facing the winner of the Wickham Wolves and Karratha Kats in the Grand Final on September 11 in the hopes of creating a historic undefeated season.