The Shepparton product was a runaway winner in the SANFL’s Magarey Medal vote count after a stellar season for Norwood, polling 38 votes to take out South Australian football’s highest individual playing honour.
A runner-up in 2022 and 2023, Rokahr’s 2026 campaign has been undeniably prolific, averaging 32 disposals, six clearances and five marks to lead the SANFL’s minor premier to the grand final.
And his on-field numbers were matched on a historic Monday evening at Adelaide Oval.
Rokahr’s 38 votes out of a possible 54 is the highest tally in half-a-century under the current Magarey format, 15 clear of runner-up Tom Lewis from Sturt.
But it was this award in tandem with his 2024 Sandover Medal as the West Australian Football League’s best player that has seen the 31-year-old ball magnet establish an elite one-man club.
Rokahr is the first and only player in the game’s history to claim both West and South Australia’s top state league awards.
“It probably hasn’t sunk in just yet, but over the next two or three days I’ll probably reflect on it,” Rokahr said.
“We still have a job to do – hopefully we can get that out of the way, have a deep breath and then look back on it.”
It’s been a remarkable journey through the ranks for the Goulburn Valley export, who joins 2018 GVL premiership teammate Harry Boyd as a Magarey medallist.
A Shepparton junior, Rokahr played a key role in the Bears’ thrilling flag win over Kyabram before graduating to the VFL with Geelong.
After several games at the Cattery, Rokahr took his talents to South Australia where, barring his illustrious 2024 season with Swan Districts, he has gone on to win a pair of Norwood best-and-fairests and play in the 2022 Redlegs premiership.
His trajectory is all the more remarkable given he was overlooked for Talent League duties.
“Our zone was the Murray Bushrangers ... the last time I played was under-15s, but I missed out on the under-16s and under-18s,” Rokahr said.
“I focused on getting my apprenticeship under my belt when I was 18 and just went from there.
“I had a few injuries (at Geelong) and obviously being an aligned club sometimes there’s limited opportunities.
“I played a handful of games then spoke to someone pretty close to me who recommended coming here.”
The bullocking midfielder now stands as the SANFL’s best player, also scooping the R.O Shearman Medal (coaches award), The Advertiser Player of the Year Award and the SANFL Now Player of the Year Award.
“I think it’s just trying to stay consistent with everything outside of footy that helps me,” he said.
“The people I’m playing with, the coaches around me and just the support staff in general, they play a huge part in this.”
Now, Rokahr will be hoping for one more medal around the neck before the season is done.
Norwood is bound for Adelaide Oval on Sunday, September 20 to face either Sturt or Woodville-West Torrens in the 2026 SANFL grand final.
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