Images Norwood Football Club
Norwood midfielder Nik Rokahr has made Australian football history, becoming the first player to win both the Magarey and Sandover Medals after claiming SANFL’s most prestigious individual award on Monday night.
The 31-year-old capped a dominant 2026 season with 38 votes from 18 games, the highest Magarey Medal tally since Russell Ebert polled 42 votes in 1976 under the 3-2-1 voting system.
Rokahr, who was a joint winner of the WAFL’s Sandover Medal in 2024, had previously finished runner-up in the Magarey Medal in 2022 and 2023 before placing fourth last year. This season, he went one better in emphatic fashion.
The Redlegs midfielder polled 10 best-on-ground performances, accumulating 17 votes by the end of Round 9 before attracting votes in eight consecutive games between Rounds 12 and 19.
His outstanding campaign also saw him claim the R.O. Shearman Medal, voted on by the coaches, The Advertiser Player of the Year Award and the SANFL Now Player of the Year Award. He was also named rover in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.
Averaging 32 disposals, six clearances, five marks and five tackles, Rokahr played a key role in guiding Norwood to the minor premiership.
Originally from the Shepparton Bears in country Victoria, Rokahr arrived at Norwood ahead of the 2020 SANFL season. Initially used as a rebounding small defender, he has since established himself as one of the competition’s premier midfielders.
His journey has included two Michael Taylor Medals, a move to WAFL club Swan Districts and a return to The Parade. After an interrupted preseason ahead of 2025 while awaiting clearance to return to Norwood, Rokahr enjoyed a strong preparation last summer that provided the foundation for his standout season.
The victory makes him the 14th Norwood player to win the Magarey Medal, joining club greats including Michael Aish, Andrew Jarman and Garry McIntosh. He also follows close friend and teammate Harry Boyd, who won the award in 2024.
Last year’s winner, Sturt’s Tom Lewis, finished runner-up with 23 votes, while West Adelaide’s Kobe Ryan, North Adelaide’s Angus Schumacher and Woodville-West Torrens’ Ted Clohesy tied for third on 22.
Rokahr reached his 100th SANFL League game in Round 6 this year and has now played 113 matches across six seasons. His latest achievement adds another chapter to a career that has taken him from country Victoria to the top of both the WAFL and SANFL.
