Football: Knight lights up Roos count

Former Kwinana Knights player Daniel Wells has been named joint winner of North Melbourne’s 2011 best and fairest Syd Barker Medal after finishing in a tie with Andrew Swallow in the count.

Picture by Kangaroos.com.au: Daniel Wells with partner Ria and his Syd Barker Medal

Wells’ first Syd Barker triumph — with his previous best finish a tie for second in 2006 — was welcomed at the Knights, where he began his successful career.

According t o the North Melbourne website, the award was especially positive for Wells, who overcame groin problems that had hampered him since 2009 to ‘‘display the most consistent form of his nine-season career, only to suffer life-threatening blood clots late in the 2011 season’’.

‘‘Wells recently told afl.com.au that his condition, then undiagnosed, was so serious his decision to book in early for shoulder surgery after North’s round-23 loss to St Kilda could have saved his life,’’ the site said.

‘‘But, ultimately, it will be Wells’ football in 2011 that’s best remembered.’’

The 26-year-old midfielder averaged 23.4 possessions a game, led the Roos for kicks and was equal second for total disposals, as he earned a place in the All Australian squad.

It went on to say that Wells had ‘‘previously been seen as a graceful player who mainly hurt opposition teams with his run and precise foot skills.

‘‘Wells again showcased those skills, but also unveiled a tougher, inside edge to his game. He finished second at North for clearances and third for contested possessions,’’ it added.

Darrin Bryden, who coached Wells when he started out with he Kwinana juniors, said he was proud of his protege.

‘‘He was a quiet kid, but you could tell straight away from a coaching point of view that he was quite special. He was also champion athlete at Gilmore College,’’ Bryden said.

‘‘I took him to his first Peel region development squad training,where the elite train. The development officer said that he was talented. I knew he was going on to bigger things. He has had a great career so far.’’

In his speech at the Crown Palladium, Wells thanked the people who believed in him, adding that he had ‘‘waited a long time to put a really good season together’’.

‘‘I’ve copped a lot of criticism since I came to this great club, probably rightly so in the early days. But this club has supported me like no other. They have given me every opportunity to be the player I want to be,’’ he said.