JON McCormick will be hoping to emulate his father and grandfather in becoming a Wangaratta Magpies premiership player tomorrow in the Ovens and Murray league grand final at Lavington. Article first appeared: 22 September 2007 Herald Sun
Third in line: Jon McCormick hopes to play in a Wangaratta premiership like his father and grandfather. Picture: Wangaratta Chronicle
The Wangaratta star returned from a late-season injury for the preliminary final win against Wodonga last Sunday, and the following night he became the club's first winner of the Morris Medal since 1976.
McCormick polled 24 votes to win the league best-and-fairest award by five votes from Lavington's Kade Stevens.
Wangaratta also won its last premiership in 1976 when McCormick's father, Ian, played in the side which beat arch-rival Wangaratta Rovers by 37 points.
His grandfather Jack played in five premiership teams during the club's golden era in the 1950s, when the Magpies won four in a row under legendary coach Mac Holten.
"It's a really big honour because the Ovens and Murray is a very good footy league and to be right up there among some of the greats is fantastic," McCormick said.
"I am really proud to be involved with the Wang footy club.
"It's the reason I came back."
McCormick was on target to win the Morris Medal in 2005, when he polled 18 votes in the first 10 rounds of the season before injuring his knee.
He didn't play again until Round 1 this year.
Jason Lappin, older brother of recently retired Carlton star Matthew, has taken Wangaratta into the grand final in his first season as coach.
After serving as an assistant coach at Wangaratta, Lappin took over from Jon Henry, who will be looking to win his first premiership late in his career.
Wangaratta faces North Albury in the grand final.
The Hoppers are led this season by Travis Hodgson, who has returned to the club after coaching rival Myrtleford to the past two grand finals.
North Albury beat Wangaratta in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.
"The expectations at Myrtleford were just enormous, whereas at North Albury it's a game of footy we have to perform our best in," Hodgson said.
"They are on different planets as far as clubs go."
Hodgson played in North Albury's last two premierships in 1999 and 2002 and will be playing in his seventh O and M grand final.