The Jack Oatey Medal is awarded to the best player during the SANFLGrand Final. It has been awarded since 1981.[1] In 2018, Mitch Grigg of Norwood became the first player to win the Jack Oatey Medal on a losing team, after his team were defeated by North Adelaide in the 2018 SANFL Grand Final.[2]
Before the inception of the Jack Oatey Medal there was no official award for the best on ground in SANFL Grand Finals. However the media would often arrive at a consensus as to who was the best player on the ground.
^"PORT GOT GRIP EARLY". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 41, no. 2, 052. South Australia. 29 September 1951. p. 6 (SPORTS SECTION). Retrieved 20 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"OATEY'S BEST". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 41, no. 2, 052. South Australia. 29 September 1951. p. 27. Retrieved 20 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"COACHES: HOW FINAL WAS WON". News. Vol. 61, no. 9, 408. South Australia. 5 October 1953. p. 23. Retrieved 20 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.