DEVILS star Ian Callinan yesterday thanked his coach Mathew Armstrong for helping him score a runaway win in the Alastair Lynch Medal - and maybe even a spot on an AFL club list.
"A few seasons ago [coach Armstrong] put the acid on me by saying I had the potential but had to get myself a lot fitter to play in the midfield," Callinan said in the wake of his whopping 23-vote winning margin as the Devils' best player on Saturday night.
"It stung a bit at the time, but I went away and did that and I owe this medal all to him."
Asked about his chances of of being drafted, he was philosophical.
"I've had five or six AFL clubs talk to me, but I've been in this position a lot of times before, so if it happens good luck and if it doesn't I just move on," Callinan said.
He rates his Lynch Medal win even higher than being equal winner of last month's VFL best and fairest award, the J. J. Liston Trophy, with Sandringham ruckman Paul Johnson.
"It probably means more to me than the "J. J." because it means I'm respected by my coaches," Callinan said.
"Winning a medal named in honour of a Tasmanian who played 300 AFL games, played in three premiership sides and kicked 300 goals is pretty special, especially when he was there to present it to me.
"But more than anything I want to play in a premiership team."
As if all that wasn't enough for Callinan, his wife Lauren is also expecting their first child on Friday.
And, considering Lauren is the daughter of former Sandy Bay, Tasmanian and All-Australian team back-pocket player Des James, the football bloodlines bode well for the future.
By: DAVID STOCKDALE
Last Modified on 04/10/2005 09:18