http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/2310/Zac Milbank wrote:
O'HARA SET TO LEAVE DOGS
Central District is conceding it will almost certainly lose 2013 Best-and-Fairest winner Brayden O’Hara, who is set to move to Albury next year.
O’Hara, who claimed the Norm Russell Medal on Saturday night by just two votes, is seeking to live with his partner Teegan Dolling, who is a television journalist.
And unless the Bulldogs can help Dolling find work in Adelaide, O’Hara is likely to continue his career in the Ovens and Murray Football League next season.
‘’We’ve been desperately trying to find her (Dolling) work here but we can’t,’’ Central chief executive Kris Grant said.
‘’As a consequence, because they have lived apart for 12 months, it unfortunately looks like he (O’Hara) is going to move there (Albury).
‘’It is a huge blow for us but it is one that is out of our control.’’
O’Hara also won the club’s Most Consistent Award after finally ridding his body of niggly injuries which have previously plagued him during pre-season training.
‘’I think the consistency sums it up well,’’ Grant said.
‘’He’s also had two or three years of injury and this year he was able to do a full pre-season which enabled him to get fit enough to play in the midfield. That has reflected in his performance.’’
Midfielders are high on Central’s recruiting agenda considering O’Hara and Runner-up Best-and-Fairest James Boyd – who has been told he is not required – won’t be at Elizabeth next year.
‘’We are talking to plenty but it is still early days,’’ Grant said, adding they are also searching for key position players.
‘’We are really looking for guys with pace but also with an ability to get in and under as well.’’
Ruckman Seb Guilhaus could also be an absentee in 2014, with the bigman possibly staying in Darwin where he has begun playing in the NTFL.
At the Best-and Fairest function, tribute was paid to the club’s three former presidents who passed away in 2013, Robert Zerella, Norm Russell and Les Stevens.
‘’We’ve lost three former presidents all in one year so it has been pretty difficult all round,’’ Grant said.
Central District Best and Fairest
Best & Fairest (Norm Russell Medallist) - Brayden O'Hara (360 votes)
Runner Up Best & Fairest - James Boyd (358 votes)
Third Best & Fairest - Trent Goodrem (314 votes)
Most Consistent – Brayden O’Hara
Most Courageous – Trent Goodrem
Coaches Award – Corey Reichert
Development Award – Josh Glenn