David Mackay’s outstanding preparation and attention to detail has been recognised, with the wingman awarded the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy.
The trophy acknowledges elite standards in preparation for being an AFL footballer.
It was coined in 2012 in memory of long-serving Crows doctor and Life Member Dr Brian Sando OAM, who passed away after a battle with illness.
A hard trainer and consummate professional, Mackay overcame a mid-season hamstring injury to play 19 games in 2016.
Crows General Manager of High Performance Brett Burton said the award was great recognition for Mackay’s professional approach over a long period of time.
“David has great attention to detail in his preparation. He leaves no stone unturned whether it be in his recovery from games and training, injury prevention or rehabbing an injury,” Burton said.
“You always see him at the Club on his day off getting extra treatment or doing whatever he feels is necessary to best prepare himself for that week.
“It’s really important that our senior players display the behaviours that we want the rest of the group to exhibit, and ‘Dmac’ certainly does that.”
Mackay celebrated his 150th AFL game with a win over Fremantle at Adelaide Oval in Round Six. He also received Life Membership of the Adelaide Football Club at the Crows Club Champion presentation on Friday night.
Mackay is one of four Crows to receive the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy following in the footsteps of two-time winner Daniel Talia, retired former captain Nathan van Berlo and promising defender Jake Lever.
Past winners of the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy
2012 – Daniel Talia
2013 – Daniel Talia
2014 – Nathan van Berlo
2015 – Jake Lever
