Following on from his brother Jye, who claimed the award in 2019, Chalcraft enjoyed an excellent campaign at NAB League level playing through the midfield averaging 23 disposals, 4.0 tackles and 3.8 marks per game.
Chalcraft took out the John Byrne medal by one vote ahead of Ethan Warburton (Shepparton Swans), Charlie Byrne (Albury) and Macca Hallows (Lavington) who shared the runners-up award.
Albury’s Cam McLeod took out the leading goal kicker award with 12 majors, Ach Agong (Shepparton) claimed the Trainers award, William Bowden (Albury) won the Coaches award and Ben Ashley-Cooper rounded out the night by winning the Ashley Cox Most Determined Award.
Chalcraft said it was an honour to be recognised as the Bushrangers best and fairest for season 2021.
“It is very exciting (to be named the John Byrne medallist), it is not something you aim for but it is great to win - there are lot of good players at the Bushrangers and a lot of great talent, so to come away with the award is fantastic,” Chalcraft said.
“I was a little bit nervous going as I knew it was going to be a very tight vote count and when they read my name out it all went really quick and it hasn’t really sunk in.”
Carrying on the family tradition of winning the John Byrne Medal, he said it was nice to let his brother Jye know they were now equal when it came to Murray Bushrangers best and fairests.
“I sent Jye a message last night saying we are equal now and he’s not one up on me anymore which was good, but he was super proud of me and he’s got his Geelong VFL vote count tonight, so fingers crossed he goes well there,” he said.
“My parents are really rapt with it (having two John Byrne medalists in the family) and it is a very proud moment for the family as well as the Shepparton United football club having consecutive winners of the award.”
Reflecting back on what was a defining season at NAB League level, Chalcraft put his improvement down to committing to his body during the off season to ensure he could consistently perform at his best.
“Probably keeping my body healthy was the main thing, I am seeing a personal trainer in Melbourne, Cory Hargrave and he has been massive for me having done a big pre season with him,” he said.
“All the coaches and high-performance guys at the Bushrangers have also been great in allowing me to get on the park each week and play my best footy and it has been great to get some reward from all my hard work.”
Finishing 13th on the ladder with a record of 3-7, he said it was a relatively frustrating year for the Bushrangers as a whole with the COVID interruptions not allowing them to build any momentum across the season.
“We lost a few more games than we won, but when we played our best footy we could take it up to the best sides - we beat Oakleigh by a fair margin and they are the best metro side, so when we have our best team in we are really good,” he said.
“Obviously we had a few go in the mid-season draft in Patrick Parnell and Daniel Turner and with the COVID situation it was a bit stop start for us it was hard.
“It (the stopping and starting) was pretty hard to get your head around being so into the footy season, but you just got to keep your head up and make the most of having some time off and getting better something you weren’t as good as before.”
Murray Bushrangers coach Mark Brown commended Chalcraft’s determination to improve and be a leader of the team.
“Kade is a more than worthy winner of the John Byrne Medal, he’s committed fully to the program over the past four years and his win is a reflection of his dedication to squeezing every drop out of his ability,” Brown said.
“He should be immensely proud of the way he’s prepared and played over what has been a tough period and joins his brother as a winner of the Bushranger best and fairest.”
Moving forward, Chalcraft said he hoped to continue with his footy and try to get to the highest level possible.
“I will be looking mainly towards VFL I reckon, AFL opportunities probably won’t come, but I think going to the VFL and trying my luck or even play good football here in the seniors at Shepparton United,” he said.
“I am definitely keen to have a big pre season and put on a few more kilograms of muscle and just see how I go and be better than I was the year before is my aim.”
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